TRANSPORT

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the date of completion of the A3 safety measures at Thursley.

David Jamieson: The A3 Junction Improvement is expected to be completed and open to traffic at the end of December 2004, six months ahead of the original target date of June 2005.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the Inspector's report following the public inquiry on the A3 Hindhead tunnel proposal.

David Jamieson: It is too soon to say when the Inspector's report might be received, as this is dependent on when the inquiry actually finishes and the complexity of the evidence the Inspector needs to consider before concluding his report.

Ambulances

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ambulances have been involved in road traffic accidents in the last two years in England; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The number of ambulances involved in road traffic accidents in England in the last two years available is shown below. Information for 2003 is not yet available.
	
		Number of ambulances(1) involved in road accidents: England: 20012002
		
			 Year Number Vehicles 
		
		
			 2001 307 
			 2002 295 
		
	
	(1) Vehicles with body type ambulance. Body type is only known for 7080 per cent. of the vehicle records in the Road Accidents Database.

Bicycles (Railways)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the advice offered to rail companies on the facility for cyclists to take their bicycles on the train.

Tony McNulty: The franchise agreements by which passenger rail services are procured require franchised train operators to:
	so far as reasonably practicable and subject to the availability of appropriate space on its rolling stock, ensure that facilities for the transport of bicycles on trains are made available, at reasonable charges (if any), to passengers using or intending to use the Passenger Service.
	The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) encourages all train operating companies to tailor their provisions for the carriage of cycles on trains to the demand on particular routes while recognising that cycle provision cannot be considered in isolation but must have regard to the needs of all other rail users. The SRA has recently carried out a consultation of cycle policy and will be publishing a detailed cycle policy in due course. Copies of their Cycle Policy Consultation Document are available in the Libraries of the House.

Bicycles (Railways)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many train companies place restrictions on cyclists taking bicycles on trains.

Tony McNulty: Of the 25 franchised train operators, three carry bicycles on all services without requiring prior reservation, six carry bicycles on all their services but do require prior reservation, one does not require prior reservation but restricts bicycles to off-peak times only and the remaining 15 require both prior reservation and restrict bicycles to off-peak times only. All franchised train operators have a maximum number of cycles which can be carried on any particular train.

c2c LTS

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent research he has conducted on the number of passengers on the c2c LTS route who do not get a seat; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations he has had on the recent Rail Passenger's Committee Eastern England research findings on the number of passengers who do not get a seat on the c2c LTS route.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) collects annual Passengers in Excess of Capacity (PiXC) census data every autumn for all London Commuter Train Operating Companies. Last year's figures for c2c indicate an overall PiXC figure of 1 per cent. (morning plus evening combined) against the threshold of 4.5 per cent.. This was the lowest of the 10 London Commuter TOCs, for which the total was 2.7 per cent.
	I have received no representations on the Rail Passenger's Committee Eastern England research.

c2c LTS

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to ensure that a refund is given to passengers with season tickets when standing reaches a predetermined level; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is reviewing its crowding policy. The SRA plans to consider whether there is a case for Train Operating Companies to face additional incentives to manage overcrowding.

c2c LTS

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with c2c on the redeployment of four 4-Coach Class 357 trains; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: None. The redeployment of rolling stock was agreed by the Strategic Rail Authority to cover a potential shortfall in rolling stock which was identified elsewhere on the network as a result of the West Coast Route Modernisation programme. The redeployment is not permanent and it is envisaged that the rolling stock will return to c2c once new trains have entered service on the West Coast Main Line.

Car Noise

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on maximum noise levels from straight-through car exhausts on customised cars.

David Jamieson: Only new cars are subject to maximum noise limits. However, Regulation 54 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 does set minimum requirements for the maintenance of exhaust systems and silencers for cars, and other vehicles, in use. This requires that they be fitted with a silencer, that the silencer is maintained in good and efficient working order and has not been altered so as to increase noise. The Regulations also make it an offence to use a car in such a manner as to cause excessive noise that could have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable care on the part of the driver. It is likely that a straight-through exhaust, whether used on a customised car or any other vehicle, would be in breach of this requirement. Enforcement, however, is a matter for the police.

Crossrail

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on consultation by the Crossrail development programme to date.

Tony McNulty: Cross London Rail Links Ltd (CLRL), a joint venture company currently owned by Transport for London and the Strategic Rail Authority, was set up to develop and promote the Crossrail project.
	Total expenditure to date on consultation by CLRL is 3,466,500. 2,170,500 was spent on the first round of consultation (September 2003 to January 2004) that I asked CLRL to undertake to explain to the public in more detail their proposed scheme, and to canvass views on their route proposals. The remaining 1,296,000 is the cost to date of the second round of consultation, on CLRL's preferred route, which began in August 2004, following my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's Statement to the House on 20 July announcing the decision to introduce a hybrid Bill for Crossrail at the earliest opportunity. The costs include salary costs of CLRL staff.

Crossrail

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been allocated in his departmental budget for the Crossrail project for (a) 200405, (b) 200506 and (c) 200607.

Tony McNulty: In May 2001, Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) was provided with ring-fenced funding of 154 million for the purposes of developing Crossrail. CLRL has spent 62.5 million to the end of financial year 200304, with a further 42.5 million budgeted for the current year. This would leave 49 million of the original 154 million available for developing the scheme after March 2005.

Cycleways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers (a) he has and (b) are vested in local authorities to prevent motorised vehicles from blocking cycleways including those on the highway; and what plans he has to ensure that cycleways are not blocked by motorised vehicles.

Tony McNulty: Parking enforcement is a matter for the police or, where local authorities have acquired decriminalised parking enforcement powers, those authorities.
	It is an offence under section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to park a motor vehicle wholly or partly on a track provided for use by pedal cyclists. Parking in a cycle lane marked on a carriageway for the use of cyclists may be prohibited by means of a traffic regulation order made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The restriction would be indicated by yellow lines and may operate 24 hours a day or for a more limited period. It is an offence under sections 5 or 8 of the 1984 Act to contravene such an order.

Cycleways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether provision of cycleways was part of the safer city project in Gloucester.

David Jamieson: Gloucester Safer City Project addressed safety issues on the roads in Gloucester and implemented measures to improve safety for cyclists along approximately 15 km of the carriageway. Off road cycleways were not part of the project. However, cycle lanes were provide in Elmbridge Road, Finlay Road, Cheltenham Road, Stroud Road and Bristol Road. In addition, on the Stroud Road the cycle lane was taken on to the footway for part of its route and in Metz Way the off-road cycle route was improved.

EU Emissions Trading System

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) research he has commissioned and (b) steps he has initiated to facilitate the incorporation of aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) There is a growing body of research on emissions trading, some of it funded or part funded by the Department for Transport. Recent examples include projects by (i) ICF Consulting for the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (ii) OXERA for BAA plc and (iii) The Institute of Applied Ecology for the German Environment Agency. The European Commission is also in the process of letting a major research contract to consider the incorporation of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
	(b) The Department is having discussions with stakeholders and other EU States to gather support for the UK's initiative and seek views on potential answers to some of the difficult design issues.

M40

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the accident rate per number of vehicles on the M40 between junctions 3 and 6 in the last year for which figures are available; and what the average accident rate for motorways was in the same period.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency publishes accident rates per million vehicle kilometres travelled. On this basis, the accident rates in 2003 for the section of the M40 between junctions 3 and 6 are as follows:
	
		
			 Junctions Accident rate 
		
		
			 3 to 4 0.187 
			 4 to 5 0.033 
			 5 to 6 0.087 
		
	
	The national accident rate for a three-lane motorway is 0.089.

Motorcycling

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities there were of (a) motor cycle riders and (b) pillion passengers in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by police authority area.

David Jamieson: Numbers of fatalities of two wheeled motor vehicle riders and pillion passengers by police authority area for 1999 to 2003 are given in the following table.
	
		TWMV riders and passenger fatalities by police authority area: GB 19992003
		
			 Fatalities 
			 Police force Casualty type 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Metropolitan police Riders 54 53 70 62 61 
			  Passengers 1 3 0 4 2 
			 Cumbria Riders 5 9 7 8 7 
			  Passengers 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Lancashire Riders 15 15 8 13 18 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Merseyside Riders 4 14 7 12 6 
			  Passengers 0 2 1 3 0 
			 Greater Manchester Riders 10 9 6 8 15 
			  Passengers 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Cheshire Riders 14 13 14 11 17 
			  Passengers 2 1 1 1 0 
			 Northumbria Riders 6 7 8 10 11 
			  Passengers 0 0 2 0 1 
			 Durham Riders 2 4 4 4 8 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 1 1 
			 North Yorkshire Riders 12 17 12 22 26 
			  Passengers 0 0 1 1 2 
			 West Yorkshire Riders 15 19 18 14 17 
			  Passengers 1 0 1 1 2 
			 South Yorkshire Riders 7 15 7 12 10 
			  Passengers 0 1 0 0 2 
			 Humberside Riders 13 6 7 5 7 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 0 3 
			 Cleveland Riders 2 4 1 1 2 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 0 1 
			 West Midlands Riders 16 8 9 11 21 
			  Passengers 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Staffordshire Riders 7 12 7 13 15 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 1 1 
			 West Mercia Riders 22 22 16 6 15 
			  Passengers 0 1 1 1 0 
			 Warwickshire Riders 6 10 5 6 11 
			  Passengers 1 1 0 0 1 
			 Derbyshire Riders 15 15 11 15 16 
			  Passengers 1 0 1 2 0 
			 Nottinghamshire Riders 12 8 22 13 14 
			  Passengers 0 1 3 0 0 
			 Lincolnshire Riders 17 12 13 11 14 
			  Passengers 0 2 0 1 0 
			 Leicestershire Riders 17 7 12 16 9 
			  Passengers 2 1 3 0 1 
			 Northamptonshire Riders 12 9 7 7 13 
			  Passengers 2 1 0 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire Riders 5 11 7 8 9 
			  Passengers 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Norfolk Riders 10 17 9 10 14 
			  Passengers 0 3 0 1 0 
			 Suffolk Riders 9 7 5 5 10 
			  Passengers 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Bedfordshire Riders 5 7 10 7 4 
			  Passengers 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Hertfordshire Riders 7 8 10 10 10 
			  Passengers 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Essex Riders 16 16 30 20 24 
			  Passengers 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Thames Valley Riders 23 28 25 33 36 
			  Passengers 2 0 2 0 0 
			 Hampshire Riders 17 17 13 19 30 
			  Passengers 1 2 1 2 1 
			 Surrey Riders 16 12 11 16 11 
			  Passengers 1 0 1 1 0 
			 Kent Riders 19 26 12 24 19 
			  Passengers 0 1 2 3 0 
			 Sussex Riders 9 12 17 21 18 
			  Passengers 1 3 0 1 3 
			 City of London Riders 1 1 2 1 0 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Devon and Riders 14 20 15 21 17 
			 Cornwall Passengers 0 0 0 1 1 
			 Avon and Somerset Riders 13 13 19 15 11 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Gloucestershire Riders 4 7 6 7 8 
			  Passengers 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Wiltshire Riders 9 9 7 6 9 
			  Passengers 0 0 2 0 0 
			 Dorset Riders 9 10 4 6 13 
			  Passengers 0 0 1 0 0 
			 North Wales Riders 10 9 10 7 17 
			  Passengers 1 2 0 0 1 
			 Gwent Riders 2 4 4 1 1 
			  Passengers 1 0 0 0 0 
			 South Wales Riders 10 7 4 9 6 
			  Passengers 1 0 2 1 0 
			 Dyfed-Powys Riders 5 6 15 8 17 
			  Passengers 0 0 1 1 0 
			 Northern Riders 1 11 6 2 9 
			  Passengers 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Grampian Riders 6 6 13 11 6 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Tayside Riders 2 2 3 4 3 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Fife Riders 1 2 3 5 5 
			  Passengers 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Lothian and Riders 4 5 4 6 8 
			 Borders Passengers 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Central Riders 2 2 1 6 3 
			  Passengers 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Strathclyde Riders 12 10 15 10 12 
			  Passengers 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Dumfries and Riders 1 0 3 2 2 
			 Galloway Passengers 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Great Britain Riders 525 573 554 580 665 
			  Passengers 22 32 29 29 28

Motorcycling

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the main motor cyclist associations on accident prevention.

David Jamieson: The Advisory Group on Motorcycling, which I Chaired, discussed motorcycling safety in considerable depth, among other issues. The Group included the British Motorcyclists Federation, the Motorcycle Action Group, the Motorcycle Industry Association, the Motorcycle Retailers Association, the Motorcycle Rider Training Association and the Despatch Association.
	The Advisory Group on Motorcycling: Final Report to Government was published in August and is available in the House Library. It makes 16 suggestions and 38 recommendations to Government. A number of these concern improving safety and helping to prevent accidents. We are considering them carefully in the context of preparing a national strategy for motorcycling, which we hope to have developed before the end of the year.

Motorcycling

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with interested parties on banning the carriage of child pillion passengers on motorcycles.

David Jamieson: I have had no such discussions. Regulations are already in place to ensure that passengers of any age or size can be carried safely, when they are complied with. These include a requirement for passengers to wear a securely fastened safety helmet and to sit astride a properly fixed seat, with their feet reaching suitable supports or rests. Only motorcyclists who have passed a motorcycle test may carry passengers.

Motorcycling

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the final report of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling; and if he will make a statement in response to its recommendations.

David Jamieson: The Government welcomes this Report. It concludes the work of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling set up by my Department, which was established to consider the role of motorcycling within an integrated transport policy, including important issues such as safety and environmental impact.
	The Report contains 38 recommendations and 16 suggestions covering a range of issues. These are designed to make motorcycling safer and to improve the motorcycling experience. The Government are considering them carefully in the context of preparing a national strategy for motorcycling, which we hope to have developed before the end of the year.

Quad Bikes

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has carried out an investigation into the number of quad bike accidents reported affecting British residents while on holiday abroad; and if he will list the resorts which have had the worst accident record in 2004.

David Jamieson: The information requested is not available.

Road Kill

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of (a) dogs, (b) cats, (c) badgers, (d) deer, (e) foxes, (f) hedgehogs, (g) rabbits and (h) squirrels killed as a result of road traffic accidents in the last year for which figures are available; and how many of each were recorded.

David Jamieson: The information requested is not available.

Road Safety

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on roads were attributable to speed in the last year for which figures are available.

Alistair Darling: Routine statistics do not record the primary cause of a road accident. However, under a pilot scheme, 15 police forces in Great Britain have provided information on contributory factors to accidents since 1999. In 2003 this information was available for about a third of all reported injury accidents in Great Britain. Among these, 30 per cent. of fatalities and 20 per cent. of serious casualties were in accidents where 'excessive speed' was a factor.
	If the results from the pilot scheme were representative of the whole country, it would mean that over 1,000 deaths and about 6,600 serious injuries in Great Britain in 2003 were sustained in accidents where 'excessive speed' was a contributory factor.
	The contributory factor data are based on the opinions of police officers. In the case of accidents reported by a member of the public at a police station, these factors have to be determined from their description of the accident.
	The true extent of the influence of speed as a contributory factor in road traffic accidents may be greater than suggested by the single factor 'excessive speed', as some other factorssuch as 'following too close'may also be associated with inappropriate speed. My Department is undertaking further analysis of the pilot contributory factor data and will publish an article later in the year.
	Starting in January 2005 this pilot scheme will be replaced by a new set of questions on contributory factors, which will henceforward form an integral part of the road accident reporting system and will be collected by all police forces for accidents reported at scene by a police officer.

Road Safety

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his review of speed limits will be published; when he commissioned his review of speed limits; and how long he originally expected that his review of speed limits would take.

David Jamieson: The Road Safety Strategy, published in March 2000 gave a commitment to revise and update our guidance to local authorities on the setting of local speed limits, currently in the form of Circular Roads 1/93. We will shortly issue a consultation draft of a revised Circular for comment, and we expect to finalise and publish the Circular early in 2005. In January this year we published a Traffic Advisory Leaflet on village speed limits, recommending that the speed limit should usually be 30 miles per hour.

Road Safety

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of accidents which were due to motorists failing to comply with recommended stopping distances in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: The information requested is not available.

Transport Bodies (Costs)

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) cost of recruitment was and (b) total cumulative salary bill has been for (i) the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency and (ii) the Chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport and (iii) the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority.

Tony McNulty: The total cost of recruitment including advertising costs for the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency in 2003 was 53,977. Details of the remuneration paid to the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency can be found in the Agency's Annual Reports.
	For the Chairman of the UK Commission for Integrated Transport, the recruitment costs specifically attributable to this post are not held separately. The most recent Chair appointment was in March 2002. The remuneration for the post is 30,000 pa with the Chair expected to work five days per month.
	Full details of the payments made to the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority can be found in the Authority's Annual Reports. The recruitment costs specifically attributable to this post are not held separately.

US Visas

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations the Government have made to United States authorities regarding the decision to abolish the crew list visa scheme.

David Jamieson: The Government made representations to the US authorities on two occasions, in co-operation with a number of other governments, in response to the proposals to abolish the crew list visa scheme.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children in Poverty

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate the Government have made of the number of children living in poverty who lived outside the 20 per cent. most deprived wards in each year since 1997.

Chris Pond: The Government's figures for children in low income households are available in Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200203. This information is not available below regional level. The report is available in the Library.

Children in Poverty

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Government (a) expect to meet and (b) have met their target for reducing the number of children living in poverty in the first quarter of 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: The Government have a PSA target to reduce the number of children in low-income households by at least a quarter by 2004, as a contribution towards the broader target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020.
	Between the baseline year of 199899 and 200203, the number of children in low income households has fallen by 500,000 before housing costs and 600,000 after housing costs. We will report on the target in spring 2006 when the data for 200405 become available.
	The latest available data (200203) do not reflect the introduction of new tax credits in April 2003 or the increase in the child element of the child tax credit in April 2004. We are broadly on course to meet the PSA target.

Pensions

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average weekly pension in Great Yarmouth in each year since 1997 if pensions had been linked to earnings.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested. However, such information as is available is in the table.
	
		
		
			 As at April each year   Average State Pension in Great Yarmouth Average State Pension in Great Yarmouth with basic State Pension uprated by earnings 
		
		
			 1999 68.90 70.55 
			 2000 69.95 73.65 
			 2001 75.60 77.35 
			 2002 78.65 81.15 
			 2003 81.30 84.70 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The change in the overall rate of basic State Pension for any given year is estimated by comparing the actual maximum rate of basic State Pension for that year with the rate if earnings uprating had been in place. The average recorded basic State Pension in Great Yarmouth for each individual year is then increased proportionately to reflect the difference.
	2. It is assumed that basic State Pension was uprated by earnings from 1998 onwards. It is assumed that additional State Pension would still be uprated in line with prices. The average additional State Pension in Great Yarmouth each year is then added to the adjusted average basic amount to provide the total average State Pension.
	3. Figures for actual State Pension amounts are taken from 5 per cent. sample of September's DWP administrative data for the year shown and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling variation.
	4. Figures for individual parliamentary constituencies are not available prior to 1999.
	5. The figures shown in the table are weekly amounts rounded to the nearest 5p.

Pensions

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the additional costs in (a) 2015, (b) 2025, (c) 2035 and (d) 2045 of having a state second pension accrual rate that would guarantee all workers with 40 years of full-time employment sufficient pension to make them ineligible at (i) age 75 and (ii) retirement for the guarantee part of the pension credit if the basic state pension were to be uprated in line with (A) prices, (B) earnings and (C) the average of earnings and prices

Malcolm Wicks: It is estimated that for a single person retiring in 2045, in order for the combined value of basic State Pension (BSP) and State Second Pension (S2P) to exceed the level of the Guarantee Credit, the additional spending on state pension required is as follows.
	
		(A) Under price uprating of the basic State Pension --  billion
		
			   2015 2025 2035 2045 
		
		
			 (i) At age 75 S2P 0.8 3.5 9.2 19.6 
			 (ii) At retirement S2P 0.3 1.5 3.9 8.2 
			  BSP 
		
	
	
		(B) Under earnings uprating of the basic State Pension --  billion
		
			   2015 2025 2035 2045 
		
		
			 () At age 75 S2P 
			 (ii) At retirement S2P 
			  BSP 9.6 23.7 45.8 69.3 
		
	
	Note:
	No change to S2P accrual or spending would be required under part B.
	
		(C) Under average of earnings and price uprating of the basic State Pension --  billion
		
			   2015 2025 2035 2045 
		
		
			 (i) At age 75 S2P 0.4 1.5 3.9 8.3 
			 (ii) At retirement S2P 
			  BSP 4.1 9.3 17.1 24.4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. No change to S2P accrual or spending would be required under part C ii.
	2. Figures are costs for GB and Overseas in 200405 price terms, using the GDP deflator index, rounded to the nearest 100 million.
	3. Costs are for additional spending on Basic and State Second Pension and do not include any increased income tax revenue or savings in income related benefits. Costs are estimated by the Government Actuary's Department and are consistent with Budget 2004 assumptions and use 2002 based population projections. Accrual rates were calculated by the Department.
	4. Except where stated, current policy on calculation and uprating of benefits is assumed to continue and long-term assumptions are in line with those for budget 2004. The guarantee credit is therefore increased in line with average earnings.
	5. Increasing basic State Pension by more than prices as in parts B and C of this question will result in additional spending on basic State Pension.
	6. Costs also exclude any changes that might occur to contracting out rebates.

Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the assumptions are for the number and percentage of eligible pensioners taking up pension credit that underlie his pensioner benefit expenditure projections for (a) 200304, (b) 201314, (c) 202324, (d) 203334, (e) 204344 and (f) 205354.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government do not currently produce long-term projections of the pension credit caseload. In the interests of fiscal propriety they do issue long-term expenditure projections. Tabled are the caseloads underlying the projected expenditure.
	Numbers of pensioner households claiming pension credit underlying the long-term projections of pensioner benefit expenditure are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2010 3,300,000 
			 2020 3,900,000 
			 2030 5,000,000 
			 2040 5,900,000 
			 2050 6,100,000 
		
	
	These figures represent take-up of around 75 per cent., corresponding to the achievement of the PSA target of 3,000,000 pension credit households by 2006.
	Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 cases, are subject to a wide margin of error and should be used only as broad indications of the likely caseload.
	The methodology behind the long-term projections was described in more detail in The Pension Credit: Long-term Projections, published by the Department in January 2002. A projected growth rate in pension credit spending is derived by applying income growth assumptions and demography projections to the sample pensioner population in the Department's Policy Simulation Model. This growth rate is applied to the medium-term forecast of pension credit expenditure.
	The Pension Credit: Long-term Projections (ref : DWP-PCP-2) is available in the Library and can be found on the internet at: www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2002/pencred/pencred.pdf

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has commissioned regarding the number of times reported criminal activity relating to antisocial behaviour has resulted in suspects being (a) charged and (b) convicted.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has commissioned a survey of young people which will give a measure of the percentage of antisocial young people who have had contact with the criminal justice system and the Youth Justice Board are commissioning research to look at the use of antisocial behaviour orders. Results are not yet available from either of these studies.

Asylum Seekers

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has received regarding estimated asylum applications from (a) Darfur, (b) South Sudan and (c) other parts of Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Applications for asylum in the UK are collated and published by nationality, and are made in the UK rather than from abroad. The available data do not include breakdowns by region within countries of origin, which would not necessarily be reliable even if it were possible to record such information. The latest published figures show a 13 per cent. rise in asylum applications from 265 in Q1 2004 to 300 in Q2 2004 from Sudanese nationals compared with an 11 per cent. fall for total applications (all nationalities) over the same period.
	Information on asylum applications is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers have been removed from the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.

Des Browne: The available information is in the table.
	
		Removals and voluntary(2) departures of asylum applicants, 1997 to 20032,3
		
			  Principal applicants Dependants Total 
		
		
			 1997 7,165 n/a n/a 
			 1998 6,990 n/a n/a 
			 1999 7,665 n/a n/a 
			 2000 8,980 n/a n/a 
			 2001 9,285 (5)1,495 10,780 
			 2002 10,740 3,170 13,910 
			 2003(6) 13,005 4,890 17,895 
		
	
	n/a = not available
	(2) Includes persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
	(3) Figures rounded to the nearest five and may not sum to total due to rounding.
	(4) Data on dependants of asylum seekers removed have only been collected since April 2001.
	(5) Excludes January-March 2001.
	(6) Provisional figures
	Information on asylum seekers who were removed from the UK in the first half of 2004 can be found on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum Seekers

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many National Asylum Support Service-supported cases in the City of Newcastle have ended with the withdrawal of benefits on grounds of refusal of the case; and how many (a) women and (b) children have been affected by such withdrawals.

Des Browne: A total of 45,120 cases had support ceased in 2003 compared with 45,185 in 2002 and 14,195 in 2001. A breakdown of this information by reason for cessation, by area of the UK, by age or by gender is unavailable and could be produced only at a disproportionate cost. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) only supports children if they are dependants of a principal applicant; NASS does not support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASCs).
	Failed asylum seekers with dependent children currently receive NASS support until such time as they leave the UK or fail to comply with a removal direction. When section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 is implemented NASS support will cease if the Secretary of State certifies that, in his opinion, such a person has failed without reasonable excuse to take reasonable steps to leave the UK voluntarily or place himself in a position in which he is able to leave the UK voluntarily.
	As at the end of June 2004 the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in Newcastle in NASS accommodation was 1,575 and 50 were in receipt of subsistence-only support. Figures are rounded to the nearest five and cases which have had their support terminated are excluded from this figure.
	Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly, and information on the number of cases with support ceased is published annually in the annual Home Office Statistical bulletin, Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Charities

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to issue a definition of public benefit in relation to the activities of charities; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The draft Charities Bill was published on 27 May 2004. It takes forward a number of the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, which made its report 'Private Action; Public Benefit' in September 2002. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.
	At the heart of the draft Charities Bill is a new statutory definition of charity, based on a list of charitable purposes, and the principle of charities providing public benefit. This will make clear exactly what a charity is.
	The Strategy Unit thoroughly reviewed the pros and cons of putting a definition of public benefit onto the face of the Bill. It concluded, and the Government agrees, that the future development of charity will be better served by keeping the current, flexible, non-statutory definition of public benefit.
	The draft Bill is the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses, which is expected to publish its recommendations by 30 September 2004. The Government will publish their response to the Committee's recommendations.

Children Trafficking

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the trafficking of children within the UK; and what steps he is taking to counter this.

Des Browne: The Government are strongly committed to combating child trafficking. We recognise that it is a complex problem and are determined to address every aspect of it, whether in countries of origin, en route to the UK, or on arrival. We have put in place a number of measures to do so, and constantly keep them under review.
	We are working with source countries to tackle the problem at its root. The UK is one of the strongest supporters of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. We have given 70,000 to Anti-Slavery International for raising awareness of the abuses suffered by the victims of trafficking and remedial action in West Africa. We have also given 3 million for the International Labour Organisation's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) programme in the Greater Mekong region. This involves a number of inter-linked interventions to raise awareness and prevent trafficking, and to withdraw women and children from labour exploitation and reintegrate them back into their own or new communities.
	We are also taking action to ensure an effective enforcement response. Since 2000, all operational activity targeted against organised immigration crime, including people trafficking, has been co-ordinated through the multi-agency task force Reflex. Led by the National Crime Squad (NCS), Reflex brings together all the key agencies (including the Immigration Service, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and key police forces), as well as the appropriate Government Departments. Reflex aims to build up the intelligence picture, co-ordinate operations and provide a focal point for the operational response to human trafficking and smuggling.
	The Sexual Offences Act 2003, which came into force in May this year, sets out wide-ranging offences covering trafficking for sexual exploitation with a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment. A new offence covering trafficking for non-sexual purposes, such as forced labour, is included in the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004.
	The Government are committed to providing appropriate support to victims of trafficking. Child victims of trafficking are likely to be in need of welfare services. Under the Children Act 1989 local authorities have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in need, by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those needs or arranging for their provision by other agencies. Assistance and support should therefore be provided by local statutory services in response to identified needs, whether directly or though specialist agencies.
	We are also working to raise awareness of child trafficking among key professionals and agencies. The Immigration Service has started specialist child interviewing training for around 600 operational members of staff nationwide, which will help identify child victims of trafficking as they arrive in the UK. The Government have also published a best practice toolkit as a guide for professionals who are likely to come into contact with victims of trafficking. This includes specific sections on children and young people.
	The Home Office and the Department for Education and Skills are jointly considering the results from the Reflex funded multi-agency operation, Paladin Child. This involved the Metropolitan Police, the Immigration Service, social workers from Hillingdon Social Services and secondees from NSPCC. The operation risk assessed children arriving at Heathrow airport without their parents or legal guardians and social services followed up those considered to be at risk. The operation did not uncover any evidence of child trafficking. However, the report did make a number of recommendations related to child protection.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 10 August on behalf of a constituent, reference PO9259/4.

Des Browne: I replied to my hon. Friend on 8 September 2004.

Data Protection

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with whom consultation has been held on (a) the range of data items which are to be stored in the database of registered facts and (b) the potential for subsequent use and disclosure of personal data from the database of registered facts; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Government published a draft Identity Cards Bill on 26 April 2004 setting out the legislative framework for a national identity cards scheme. A 12-week consultation was held in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Code of Practice on Consultation.
	Over 3,000 copies of the consultation paper have been distributed including to all Members of Parliament, all the representative organisations that had commented on the earlier consultation and acquisition libraries across the UK. The consultation also appeared on the identity cards website (www.identitycards.gov.uk) and invited comments from individuals and organisations.
	We are now carefully analysing all the responses received. The Government will take account of these comments on the draft Bill before it introduces substantive legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.
	The House of Commons Select Committee on Home Affairs is undertaking a formal scrutiny of the draft Bill and will be publishing a report.

Gosport War Memorial Hospital

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he expects inquiries into medical and nursing practices at Gosport War Memorial Hospital to be concluded;
	(2)  how many man hours have been expended by staff at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in responding to inquiries about medical and nursing practices at the hospital.

Paul Goggins: I can confirm that the investigation by Hampshire Police is ongoing. To date over 90 cases have been examined by a panel of experts and some of these have in turn been identified as requiring more detailed scrutiny. The investigation of the first four of these cases should be concluded by September 2004, but it is likely that the inquiry will stretch into 2005. Every effort has been made to ensure that the families and other interested parties are aware of the timescales involved.
	Information is not available centrally on the amount of time which hospital staff have used in responding to police inquiries.

Hate Crime

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further proposals the Government have to extend the powers of the criminal justice system to prevent hate crimes.

Fiona Mactaggart: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in his speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research Institute on 7 July that as soon as the legislative opportunity arose the Government proposed extending the existing incitement to racial hatred laws, contained in the Public Order Act 1986, by creating a new offence of incitement to religious hatred.

Identity Cards

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the technological potential to combine identity cards with passports containing electronic data.

Des Browne: As part of the work to set the requirements for identity cards, the level of compatibility with technical standards proposed for electronic passports is being examined. However, no decision has been made on whether to combine technical standards for identity cards with any other documents.
	The UK Passport Service is already committed to introducing a biometric passport containing electronic data in 2005.

Immigration

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to monitor the level of illegal immigration into the United Kingdom.

Des Browne: By definition, illegal immigrants fall outside of official statistics and are therefore difficult to measure. Official estimates of the numbers of illegal entrants to the UK or estimates of the size of the illegally resident population in the UK do not exist. The Government have commissioned research into the methods used in other countries to estimate the size of the illegal population in order to define methods appropriate for the UK.
	We are committed to maintaining robust pre and on entry controls to prevent illegal immigration into the United Kingdom and there are many strands of work currently being undertaken to ensure the integrity of UK Border Controls. These include:
	The increasing involvement of organised crime in illegal immigration led to the creation in 2000 of Reflex, the multi-agency forum which brings together key law enforcement players including the Immigration Service, as well as relevant government Departments and the Security Services, under the chair of the National Crime Squad.
	As part of a longer-term strategy, the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) manages an expanding network of Immigration Liaison Officers (currently 12) in key overseas posts who work closely with local law enforcement agencies to combat illegal migratory flows.
	A network of Airline Liaison Officers working closely with airline staff at key locations worldwide, who offer advice to carriers on the admissibility of passengers seeking to travel to the UK.
	Working closely with UK Visas to put in place visa fraud officers at a number of our missions overseas to enhance further the quality of visa issues.
	Introduction of a range of initiatives designed to reduce the numbers of those who arrive without adequate documentation or concealed in vehicles. Such measures include the roll out of New Detection Technology to search vehicles for would be clandestine entrants prior to embarkation for the UK, and the introduction of juxtaposed controls at strategic locations overseas to pre-assess eligibility for entry.

Immigration

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the joint work of immigration officers and British Transport Police in London in identifying illegal immigrants; and how many individuals have been (a) questioned and (b) arrested as part of the operation.

Des Browne: Over the past 15 months the UK Immigration Service (UKIS) has participated in a variety of joint multi-agency street crime operations in London, initiated by both the Metropolitan and British Transport Police (BTP). Focusing on crime hotspots, the Immigration Service has been invited to attend where an immigration offence is expected. The deployment of immigration officers in public places is a legitimate activity within the spectrum of our mandate of enforcing immigration laws.
	While immigration officers do not have the same powers as the police to stop and search individuals in public places, they may legitimately question people to determine their immigration status where there is reasonable suspicion that a person is an immigration offender.
	Records of (a) the number of people questioned or (b) the number of people arrested as part of the police-led crime reduction operations are not kept centrally. However, locally collated provisional information indicates that between May 2003 to July 2004 the UKIS participated in approximately 235 such operations which resulted in the arrest of around 1,000 immigration offenders, including 717 failed asylum seekers.
	While officers routinely record the details of persons questioned in their individual notebooks, these data are not collated centrally.
	The Government have made it clear that they are taking a robust and determined approach to tackling illegal immigration, and removing from the UK those who no longer have a legal right to be here.

Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the immigration figures for each of the past 14 months.

Des Browne: Latest available figures on international migration are given in the table.
	
		Total international migration(7): United Kingdom, 2001 to 2002 -- Thousand
		
			  All migration 
			 Year and quarter(8) Inflow Outflow Balance 
		
		
			 2001 480 308 172 
			 Of which:
			 March 100 60 40 
			 June 113 65 48 
			 September 178 103 75 
			 December 89 81 8 
			 
			 2002 513 359 153 
			 Of which:
			 March 105 75 30 
			 June 117 81 36 
			 September 197 124 73 
			 December 95 80 14 
		
	
	(7) Figures are estimates derived from the International Passenger Survey and other sourcesthese are Home Office data on asylum seekers and their dependants and estimates of migration between the UK and the Irish Republic from the Irish Central Statistical Office.
	(8) Quarters are labelled by their final month, e.g. March denotes the quarter January to March .
	Source:
	National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk).
	Monthly data is not available.

Italian Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment the Government plans to conduct of the new Italian identity card scheme.

Des Browne: Identity card schemes have existed in most EU countries for many years.
	Home Office officials have had detailed discussions with colleagues involved in the operation of identity card schemes in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany and lessons learned have informed the development of policy where appropriate.
	Comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes. The results of this work comprise Annex 3 of Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation (CM 5557) published in July 2002.
	Home Office officials have met Italian counterparts on two occasions to discuss their experience on the design and implementation of identity cards schemes and we will continue to work closely with colleagues in EU member states.

Non-EU Students

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make it easier for non-EU students to work in the UK after they have graduated provided they have graduated from a UK university, with particular reference to residency criteria.

Des Browne: The Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS), to be introduced on 29 October 2004, will allow non-EU graduates from UK universities who have graduated in specific science and engineering courses to apply to remain in the UK to seek work.
	Participants on SEGS will be required to show that they have achieved a degree at 2:2 or above in such courses and that they can maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds. Participants will be granted leave for one year and will be able to live and work in any region of the UK. Participants on the scheme will be allowed to switch, at any time during the year, to other managed migration categories provided they meet the criteria.
	In summer 2005, a further pilot scheme (Fresh Talent: Scotland) should be introduced to allow third country national graduates from Scottish universities to apply to stay in Scotland and look for work for up to two years.

November 9th Society

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the activities of the November 9th Society.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Government condemn any individual or group which promotes racism. The Home Office is currently developing a cross-Government community cohesion and race equality strategy, due to be launched later this year, which will among other matters address how we can most effectively respond to the threat from political extremism. It is for the police and Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to prosecute any alleged offences.

November 9th Society

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to close the website of the November 9th Society; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Government condemn those who use the internet to distribute racist material of this kind. The law on incitement to racial hatred applies to material on the internet which comes within our jurisdiction. It is for the police to investigate complaints and decide whether there is evidence that website operators have committed offences
	The Internet Watch Foundation serves as a central point of contact for those who wish to report examples of inflammatory material on the internet.
	The Government are currently working on an e-crime strategy which will include consideration of racist material on the internet.

Overseas Students

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost is to overseas students from (a) new entrant countries in the EU and (b) non-EU countries of registering to work in the UK during their studies.

Des Browne: Students from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia who take up employment in the UK and who are subject to the Worker Registration Scheme are required to pay a one-off fee of 50 to register with the Home Office. After 12 months in continuous legal employment in the UK they can work here without registration.
	Students from non-EU countries can legally work part-time alongside their studies, without reporting the details to the Home Office, provided they continue to satisfy the requirements of their stay as students.

Passports

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when biometric passports will be available to British passport holders to allow entry into the US under the visa waiver scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: US Congress have recently approved legislation which extends the target date by which participating members of the US visa waiver scheme should be producing biometric passports to October 2005. British citizens will be able to travel to the States under current arrangements until that date provided they hold machine readable passports.
	It is planned to commence the introduction of biometric enabled British Passports in late 2005.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has not acted upon the recommendation by the Chief Surveillance Commissioner that certain NHS bodies should be excluded from Schedule 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The conduct of directed surveillance by NHS bodies has been reviewed by the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS), the Special Health Authority responsible for operational matters relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud and corruption and the management of security in the NHS. The review has concluded that the CFSMS should authorise and undertake directed surveillance on behalf of NHS bodies. Consequently the Government will be laying an Order to amend the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, in line with the recommendation of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner.

Speed Cameras

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists were (a) fined and (b) banned from driving as a result of the evidence of speed cameras in each of the last five years; how much money was raised from fines in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Available information for England and Wales on the number of fixed penalties and court fines ordered to be paid and on the number of persons disqualified from driving for the offence of 'speeding detected by camera' in 1998 to 2002 is shown in tables A and B respectively. Data for 2003 will not be available until the autumn.
	Information on the revenue raised from speeding fines is not available centrally.
	
		Table A: Fines and fixed penalty data for speeding offences detected by camera1, 2, England and Wales, 19982002
		
			  Court proceedings(11) Fixed penalties 
			  Number of fines Total amount of fine () Average fine () Number of tickets(12) Estimated revenue ()(13) 
		
		
			 1998 25,500 2,928,000 115 338,800 13,552,000 
			 1999 32,300 3,434,000 106 423,000 16,920,000 
			 2000 31,800 3,400,000 107 599,200 25,965,000 
			 2001 40,500 4,510,000 111 877,500 52,650,000 
			 2002 46,300 4,778,000 103 1,135,000 68,122,000 
		
	
	(9) Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types from 1999.
	(10) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(11) Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.
	(12) Paid i.e. no further action.
	(13) Estimate based on 40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to 60.
	
		Table B: Number of persons disqualified(14) from driving at all courts for speeding offences detected by camera2, 3, England and Wales, 19982002
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998 1,300 
			 1999 1,300 
			 2000 1,400 
			 2001 2,000 
			 2002 1,800 
		
	
	(14) Excludes persons disqualified under s.35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (penalty points system).
	(15) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(16) Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types from 1999.

Terrorism Offences

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportations have taken place under the Terrorism Act 2000 in each year for which records are available.

Des Browne: The Terrorism Act 2000 does not contain any provisions relating to deportation and there is no power under that Act to effect deportation.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Abandoned Vehicles

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abandoned cars were removed by (a) police and (b) local authorities in each local authority area in England in each of the past 10 years, broken down by region in descending order according to the biggest percentage drop in local authority area.

Elliot Morley: Estimates for numbers of abandoned vehicles removed and destroyed are compiled from the Defra Municipal Waste Management Survey for 200001, 200102 and 200203 and the Defra Abandoned Vehicle Survey for 200203. Estimates for vehicles removed by the police are not available. It is not practicable to sort the estimates due to the non-responses in certain years.
	Figures for England broken down by region have been placed in the Library of the House.

Animal Rights Organisations (Criminal Behaviour)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government are taking to prevent criminal behaviour by animal rights organisations against lobster fishermen.

Ben Bradshaw: Responsibility for dealing with these matters lies with the police authorities to whom all incidences of criminal behaviour or threatened criminal behaviour should be reported.

Environment Public Bodies

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the budget of (a) the Environment Agency, (b) the Countryside Agency and (c) English Nature in the North East region of England was in each of the last three years.

Alun Michael: The budget for the Environment Agency's North East Region, which comprises the North East Region of England and most of the Yorkshire and Humber Region, was 83.8 million in 200102, 95.9 million in 200203 and 95.2 million in 200304. The Countryside Agency operates on a national rather than a regional basis, and figures for regional expenditure are not readily available. English Nature's budget for the North East Region of England was 1.8 million in 200102, 2.2 million in 200203 and 2.6 million in 200304.

EU Bycatch Regulation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of fishing effort in UK fisheries identified by the EU Bycatch Regulation is conducted by vessels under 12 metres in length.

Ben Bradshaw: The new Council Regulation to address cetacean bycatch requires the use of 'pingers' on vessels of 12 metres and over in ICES divisions VIId, e, f, g, h and j when using bottom-set gillnets or entangling nets. In ICES Area IV and division IIIa, the pinger requirement applies to vessels of 12 metres and over using bottom-set gillnets or entangling nets where the combination of net lengths used does not exceed 400 metres or where the mesh size used is greater than or equal to 220mm. The data is not available to identify the number of vessels falling in or out of the latter categories; it is only possible to identify the total number of vessels using bottom-set gillnets and entangling nets in the areas concerned.
	Bearing in mind these caveats and using 2003 fishing data, the proportion of UK fishing effort (days at sea) conducted by vessels under 12 metres and exempt from the pinger requirements of the EU bycatch regulation would be approximately 80 per cent.

Farm Subsidies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what decision has been taken by her Department regarding the level of voluntary modulation on agricultural payments.

Alun Michael: In her written statement to the House on 22 July, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced overall modulation rates for England of 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The overall modulation rate comprises two separate elements: compulsory EU-wide modulation, set at 3 per cent. in 2005 and 4 per cent. in 2006; and an additional national element which has been set at 2 per cent. in 2005 and 6 per cent. in 2006.
	
		Percentage
		
			  EU rate Additional national rate Overall rate 
		
		
			 2005 3.0 2.0 5.0 
			 2006 4.0 6.0 10 
		
	
	While the compulsory EU modulation rate for 2007 and beyond has been set at 5 per cent., the additional national rate, and hence the overall modulation rate, has yet to be determined.
	The proceeds of modulation in 2005 and 2006 will be match funded by the Exchequer and used principally to finance schemes to deliver environmental enhancement and positive management of our countryside.

Fast Food and Litter Partnerships

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the pilot projects dealing with fast food and litter partnerships; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: In July 2002, Defra asked ENCAMS (Environmental Campaigns) to devise a voluntary code of practice for the fast food industry aimed at improving local environmental quality, and the instances of fast food waste that becomes litter in rural and urban areas.
	In November 2003, McDonald's and the Local Government Association (LGA) formed a pioneer partnership to assist local authorities in improving the quality of local environments and public spaces. The scheme was devised to support the Voluntary Code of Best Environmental Practice for the Fast Food Industry.
	The pilot scheme, covering a mix of rural and urban areas, is currently running in Sheffield, Maidstone, and Taunton and Deane. McDonald's and the LGA intention is to promote Defra's proposed code within each local authority, targeting all quick service restaurants in the area. The code sets out a framework for joint action between fast food businesses and land managers, and amongst others, encourages litter patrols, the provision of litter bins and anti-littering signage.
	The work on the pilots has helped to inform our further work on the code in preparation for a formal launch later in the year, with analysis of the scheme's success planned in due course.

Fly-tipping

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department's fly-tipping strategy has affected the residents of Leyton and Wanstead.

Elliot Morley: Defra published a consultation document entitled the Fly-Tipping Strategy in February 2004. It proposed a range of measures that aimed to ensure that enforcement against fly-tipping is as effective as possible. The strategy proposed to move towards dealing with fly-tipping in a more pro-active preventative manner rather than focusing just on expensive clearance.
	The measures proposed in the strategy would give local authorities and the Environment Agency more effective powers for dealing with fly-tipping, which should lead to a better response to the blight of illegally dumped waste. Benefits will also extend to local residents by moving towards cleaner, safer, and greener public spaces and reducing the damaging effects of fly-tipping on the environment.
	The Fly-Tipping Strategy responses are currently being analysed and have fed in to development of a further set of options in the current Clean Neighbourhoods consultation.

Hazardous Waste

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Environment Agency's (a) procedure and (b) resources will be to ensure that all hazardous waste producers, including those producing small and sporadic quantities of hazardous waste, (i) are aware of and (ii) comply with the requirement to register as a hazardous waste producer.

Elliot Morley: Our proposals for new regulations for hazardous waste, including the proposed requirement for hazardous waste producers to notify their premises to the Environment Agency, were issued for consultation on 30 July. The consultation will run until 29 October and during this time, the Environment Agency will consider both how to make producers aware of their obligations and how to ensure compliance. The consultation paper seeks views on a general coming into force date for the regulations of July 2005, with the possibility of sites producing hazardous waste being notified from 1 April 2005.

Household Waste

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental implications of introducing variable charges for the collection of domestic household waste.

Elliot Morley: Waste not, Want notA strategy for tackling the waste problem in England (Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 27 November 2002) recommended that local authorities which wish to take forward variable charging or household incentive schemes to help reduce waste volumes and increase recycling should be allowed to do so.
	In line with their response to the Strategy Unit report, the Government has undertaken further work, in consultation with local authorities, on the practicalities of operating schemes and how potential disadvantages could be overcome. This work also analysed international experience of such schemes, including their impact on reducing waste and increasing recycling.
	In light of this work, the Government is reviewing their position.

Radio Barcodes (Waste Disposal)

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with retailers about the final waste disposal of radio barcodes contained within consumer goods.

Elliot Morley: I have not discussed the final waste disposal of radio barcodes contained within consumer goods with retailers.

Recycling

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards meeting recycling targets of 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005.

Elliot Morley: All local authorities in England have been set challenging Statutory Performance Standards for 200304 and 200506 for the recycling and composting of household waste. Individual local authority targets combine to meet national targets as set out in Waste Strategy 2000 to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 200304, and 25 per cent. by 200506.
	In 200203, the household recycling and composting rate for England was 14.5 per cent., a 2 per cent. increase over 200102. This percentage rise represents a significant improvement compared with previous annual increases, which had tended to be around 1 per cent. (as measured by the Municipal Waste Management Survey).
	The most recent evidence, offered by local authorities' unaudited Best Value Performance Indicator data for 200304, suggests that the 200304 national target of 17 per cent. will be met. The national target for 200506 remains a significant challenge but an achievable goal if the current rate of progress is maintained.

Recycling

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage the recycling of plastic; and if she will list those local authorities which operate (a) kerbside and (b) other plastic recycling schemes.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 8 September 2004
	All local authorities in England have been set challenging Statutory Performance Standards for 200304 and 200506 for the recycling and composting of household waste. The Government do not specify which materials local authorities are required to collect. The Statutory Performance Standards are weight based so initially local authorities are likely to recycle heavier materials. However, as recycling targets become increasingly demanding, local authorities are expected to target lighter materials such as plastics.
	To make the recycling of plastic more economically attractive the Government-funded Waste Resources and Action Programme (WRAP) has developed a programme to expand markets for plastic recyclate. As a result of WRAP activity since 2001 in excess of 35,000 additional tonnes of plastic recycling capacity per year is either operational, under construction or otherwise committed.
	According to the Municipal Waste Management Survey 200203 the following local authorities operated (a) a kerbside collection scheme, or (b) other plastic recycling schemes.
	Local authorities operating a kerbside plastic collection scheme in 200203
	Adur District Council
	Alnwick District Council
	Arun District Council
	Aylesbury Vale District Council
	Babergh District Council
	Barking and Dagenham LB
	Bath and North East Somerset Council
	Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
	Bexley LB
	Blaby District Council
	Blyth Valley Borough Council
	Bolton MBC
	Bradford City MDC MBC
	Braintree District Council
	Breckland BC
	Bristol City Council
	Bromley LB
	Broxtowe Borough Council
	Castle Morpeth Borough Council
	Charnwood Borough Council
	Chelmsford Borough Council
	Chester City Council
	Chichester District Council
	Colchester Borough Council
	Dacorum BC
	Dartford Borough Council
	Daventry DC
	East Hampshire District Council
	East Lindsey District Council
	East Northamptonshire Council
	Eastleigh Borough Council
	Elmbridge Borough Council
	Exeter City Council
	Fenland District Council
	Gloucester City Council
	Gosport Borough Council
	Gravesham Borough Council
	Hart District Council
	Havant Borough Council
	Hillingdon LB
	Horsham District Council
	Kerrier District Council
	Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
	Kingston-upon-Thames LB
	Lancaster City Council
	Leeds City Council MBC
	Leicester City Council
	Lewes District Council
	Lichfield District Council
	Lincoln City Council
	London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	Manchester City Council
	Melton Borough Council
	Mid Bedfordshire District Council
	Mid Devon District Council
	Mid Sussex District Council
	Milton Keynes Council
	New Forest District Council
	Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
	North Devon District Council
	North Dorset District Council
	North East Lincolnshire Council
	North Kesteven District Council
	North West Leicestershire District Council
	Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
	Oldham MBC
	Pendle Borough Council
	Plymouth City Council
	Poole BC
	Purbeck District Council
	Reading BC
	Redbridge LB
	Rochdale MBC
	Rossendale Borough Council
	Sevenoaks District Council
	South Hams District Council
	South Holland District Council
	South Kesteven DC
	South Norfolk Council
	South Northamptonshire District Council
	South Oxfordshire District Council
	Southend-on-Sea BC
	St. Albans City and District Council
	Stafford BC
	Stroud District Council
	Swale Borough Council
	Teesdale District Council
	Teignbridge DC
	Thanet District Council
	Three Rivers District Council
	Torbay Council
	Torridge District Council
	Wellingborough BC
	Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
	Worthing Borough Council
	Wychavon District Council
	Local authorities operating a non-kerbside plastic recycling scheme
	Adur District Council
	Alnwick District Council
	Arun District Council
	Aylesbury Vale District Council
	Babergh District Council
	Barking and Dagenham LB
	Bath and North East Somerset Council
	Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
	Bexley LB
	Blaby District Council
	Blyth Valley Borough Council
	Bolton MBC
	Bradford City MDC MBC
	Braintree District Council
	Breckland BC
	Bristol City Council
	Bromley LB
	Broxtowe Borough Council
	Castle Morpeth Borough Council
	Charnwood Borough Council
	Chelmsford Borough Council
	Chester City Council
	Chichester District Council
	Colchester Borough Council
	Dacorum BC
	Dartford Borough Council
	Daventry DC
	East Hampshire District Council
	East Lindsey District Council
	East Northamptonshire Council
	Eastleigh Borough Council
	Elmbridge Borough Council
	Exeter City Council
	Fenland District Council
	Gloucester City Council
	Gosport Borough Council
	Gravesham Borough Council
	Hart District Council
	Havant Borough Council
	Hillingdon LB
	Horsham District Council
	Kerrier District Council
	Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
	Kingston-upon-Thames LB
	Lancaster City Council
	Leeds City Council MBC
	Leicester City Council
	Lewes District Council
	Lichfield District Council
	Lincoln City Council
	London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	Manchester City Council
	Melton Borough Council
	Mid Bedfordshire District Council
	Mid Devon District Council
	Mid Sussex District Council
	Milton Keynes Council
	New Forest District Council
	Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
	North Devon District Council
	North Dorset District Council
	North East Lincolnshire Council
	North Kesteven District Council
	North West Leicestershire District Council
	Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
	Oldham MBC
	Pendle Borough Council
	Plymouth City Council
	Poole BC
	Purbeck District Council
	Reading BC
	Redbridge LB
	Rochdale MBC
	Rossendale Borough Council
	Sevenoaks District Council
	South Hams District Council
	South Holland District Council
	South Kesteven DC
	South Norfolk Council
	South Northamptonshire District Council
	South Oxfordshire District Council
	Southend-on-Sea BC
	St. Albans City and District Council
	Stafford BC
	Stroud District Council
	Swale Borough Council
	Teesdale District Council
	Teignbridge DC
	Thanet District Council
	Three Rivers District Council
	Torbay Council
	Torridge District Council
	Wellingborough BC
	Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
	Worthing Borough Council
	Wychavon District Council

Shellfish

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she expects to agree a management plan for scallops, crabs and lobsters in the Western Channel;
	(2)  what measures she is taking to assess (a) historic shellfish landings that will form the basis of a management plan and (b) current shellfish landings.

Ben Bradshaw: The European Commission indicated in October 2003 that it would bring forward proposals for a management plan for scallops, lobsters and crabs in the Channel. It has not yet done so and we are not aware that such proposals are imminent.
	Data on shellfish landings by UK vessels and into UK ports are collected annually and published in the United Kingdom Fisheries Statistics series. They are not collected specifically for the purpose of agreeing management plans.

Environment Agency

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what back-office improvements will be made within the Environment Agency to achieve the efficiency savings announced in the spending review.

Elliot Morley: The agency is developing an efficiency strategy which builds on its current targets for efficiency savings and addresses operational changes in the organisation. The strategy will reflect the spending review announcement. The key activities that underpin the strategy include:
	Review of property and facilities owned and leased by the agency;
	Improving procurement: reducing the unit cost of goods and services through aggregation of services;
	Transactional services: ensuring that the handling of inquiries and invoicing is handled in the most efficient way;
	Productive time: examining new ways of working and reducing the scale of support services;
	Implementation of the National Document Imaging Strategy: rationalising photocopiers, printer and fax machines throughout the agency;
	Implementation of the Financial and Human Resources management information system (IBIS): an activity based recording system that will provide management information on the use of agency resources across the business.

Waste Incineration

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there are economic disincentives for waste-to-energy incinerators to burn source separated waste.

Elliot Morley: There are no direct economic disincentives for waste-to-energy incinerators to burn source separated waste. Incentives to recycle source separated waste exist and these act as indirect disincentives to burn source separated waste. Examples of these incentives include local authority statutory performance standards for recycling and composting and the recycling targets set out in the European directive on packaging and packaging waste.
	Government announced in Budget 2002 that the case for an economic instrument for incineration would be considered. As there is a range of issues associated with developing an effective waste management and disposal mix, the Government commissioned a study to identify the environmental and health impacts of all waste management and disposal options (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/health-effects/health-report.pdf). A second, related study seeking to identify the economic values of the impacts and pollutants identified in the first study is currently under way.
	The case for using economic instruments for incineration will be considered in light of this work and in consultation with other stakeholders.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AIDS Vaccine Research

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what resources he plans to commit to AIDS vaccine research in the next 10 years;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the pharmaceutical industry regarding funding and facilities for the production of AIDS vaccine once developed.

Hilary Benn: In line with the recently published DFID Research Funding Strategy, we are committed to the global effort to find a vaccine for AIDS. DFID has committed 14 million in support of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) up to the end of this year and I recently met Dr. Seth Berkeley, who is president and chief executive the of IAVI, to discuss its work. The UK is also committed to work with our G8 colleagues. DFID supports the aims of the Global HIV and AIDS Vaccine Enterprise and are developing areas for UK engagement with the enterprise including potential financial support during the UKS G8 Presidency. Over the coming months DFID will be considering the resource framework for the three years commencing April 2005, including further support for IAVI and support for the Global Vaccine Enterprise.
	In addition to this direct support, the UK has tax relief for investments in research into vaccines and other medicines for HIV and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The Vaccines Research Relief is effective on expenditure from April 2003. It is too early to report on the success of the Vaccines Research Relief since company tax returns are retrospective in nature. The first claims are not expected until later this year. However, a programme of evaluation will be implemented once data begins to be received. It is important to bear in mind the long-term nature of research decisions and outcomes and the fact that the impact of the relief is likely to appear over the medium to long term.
	DFID officials have been meeting regularly with pharmaceutical companies and business associations as part of our work on increasing access to medicines in developing countries. These meetings have dealt with issues such as the affordability of existing medicines and other health technologies, and the need for increased research and development into new technologiesincluding vaccinesfor diseases disproportionately affecting developing countries.

Beijing +10

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his plans are for his Department's involvement in the Beijing Platform for Action known as Beijing +10.

Hilary Benn: The review of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action will be an integral part of the UK Government's work on gender equality in 2005. The 49th Session of the Commission for the Status for Women (CSW) at the United Nations in March 2005 will review and appraise the implementation of Beijing over the last 10 years. A cross-Whitehall UK Government delegation will actively participate at CSW, working to ensure that the gains achieved at Beijing in 1995 are upheld. DFID has already begun contributing to this process, completing a United Nations questionnaire on progress made in the UK since 1995, which will feed into the UN Secretary-General's report.
	DFID is also working closely with the European Union Gender Group and other donors through the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee's (DAC) Gender Network, to develop a contribution to the review. We are attending regional preparatory meetings and working with civil society organisations. These include the UK Gender and Development Network, to whom DFID has provided support on a study examining the links between the Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
	Gender equality is relevant to the achievement of all the MDGs, not only that specifically aimed at gender equality and the empowerment of women. The review will be an opportunity to underline the continuing relevance of the Beijing Platform for Action to the achievement of gender equality.

Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how his Department's policy on taking risks of natural and man-made disasters into account will change following the report by his Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department.

Hilary Benn: A reduction in the impact of natural and man-made disasters is an important precondition for poverty reduction in many countries.
	DFID is in the process of reviewing how we might step up our work in this area. A scoping study, commissioned by DFID's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department and undertaken by the Overseas Development Group, will soon report. The study will examine the relationship between development and disasters so as to help the development community and DFID better understand how we might tackle disasters risk most effectively. It will also consider how to better integrate disaster risk reduction into development. We intend to develop a forward strategy for DFID on disaster reduction in the light of the findings of this study. The findings will be disseminated to interested parties.

Departmental Contracts

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many contracts were let by his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to Halcrow Group Ltd. for the financial years (a) 200304, (b) 200203, (c) 200102, (d) 200001 and (e) 19992000; what the value of each contract was; and what the nature of each contract was.

Hilary Benn: DFID's headquarters has issued the following contracts to the Halcrow Group Ltd. since 1999. A small number of low-value contracts may also have issued from DFID's overseas offices, but information on this is not held centrally, and could be provided only by incurring a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Ref.   Project title Contract issued value () Value plus any amendments/ extensions () Contract let 
		
		
			 19986930 Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF): Advice and Guidance on the Build-Operate Train Tran 426,749 491,520 28 April 1999 
			 19997568 Construction Adviser 29,090 66,290 10 May 1999 
			 19997201 Malawi Haulage Costs Study 102,590 110,840 13 May 1999 
			 19999064 Kharkiv Solid Waste Management: Ukraine 49,947 49,947 3 November 1999 
			 19999310 Drainage Engineer 89,495 89,495 20 December 1999 
			 20000009 World Bank Urban Transport Strategy ReviewReview of Experience in Competition in Urban Public Trans 29,762 29,762 7 January 2000 
			 20000012 World Bank Urban Transport Strategy ReviewReview of Urban Mass Transit in Developing Countries 39,987 39,987 7 January 2000 
			 19999349 Slope Stability/Geotechnical Engineer 22,780 22,780 19 January 2000 
			 19999283 Construction of Bhairab Bridge: Phase 2 2,484,879 6,103,093 7 February 2000 
			 20000182 Professional Advice and Specialist Human Resources: Transport (Halcrow) 0 0 9 February 2000 
			 20000203 Professional Advice and Specialist Human Resources: Energy (Halcrow Gilbert) 0 0 17 February 2000 
			 20000160 Provision of Professional Advice and Specialist Human Resources (Halcrow) 0 0 2 March 2000 
			 20000373 Kharkiv Solid Waste ManagementUkraine 7,111 7,111 7 March 2000 
			 19999353 Philippines National Road Bridges Project 562,525 562,525 16 August 2000 
			 20001267 Municipal Utilities Development Programme (MUDP) 98,921 98,921 12 September 2000 
			 20001218 Strengthening Capacity in Environmental Project Development 547,455 565,510 3 November 2000 
			 20001831 World Bank Toolkits for Privatisation Participation in Water and Sanitation 10,507 10,507 6 November 2000 
			 20012053 Integrating Gender, Poverty Reduction and Energy 21,077 21,077 5 January 2001 
			 20001956 WB/GEF Project (Rostov): EIA 274,000 275,000 11 January 2001 
			 20012593 Guyana Water Sector ProgrammeDrafting of TORS for a Strategic/Environmental Assessment of the Guy 1,536 1,536 19 April 2001 
			 20012771 Municipal Utilities Development Programme 46,751 46,751 17 July 2001 
			 20013244 KosovoPristina University HospitalAssessment Water and Sanitation 27,080 27,080 9 October 2001 
			 20012518 Gerald's Park Airstrip Consultancy 262,641 458,607 25 March 2002 
			 20023903 Guyana Water: Management ContractConflict of Interest 968 968 10 June 2002 
			 20034599 Gerald's Park Airstrip ConsultancyPhase 2 355,081 477,786 21 March 2003 
			 20034654 Advice to IUDD in the Engineering SectorHalcrow Group 0 0 31 March 2003 
			 200304865 SUSMAQ Output to Purpose Review 16,370 17,870 2 July 2003 
			 200304923 Recovery and Infrastructure Group (RIP) 783,962 2,512,757 11 July 2003 
			 200305075 Set up of the Coalition Provincial Authority South (CPA-S) 928,994 1,611,156 12 September 2003 
			 200305122 Transport Advice to DFID'S Engineering KAR Programme 29,980 57,433 30 September 2003 
			 200405398 South East Asia Access for Rural Poor Programme 132,508 229,820 3 March 2004

Education (Gender Disparity)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact on girls' school enrolment of increased access to sanitation; and how this is taken into account in the design of the programmes funded by his Department in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goal to eliminate gender disparity in education.

Hilary Benn: DFID's assessment of this relationship is two-fold. First, access to basic facilities such as school toilets, safe drinking water, clean surroundings and information on hygiene all improve the quality of the school environment and result in better learning outcomes for girls. Provision of basic facilities ensures universal basic education and results in increased enrolment of girls in schools. Basic sanitation for girls in particular, can lead to lower dropout rate for girls, especially at puberty. For example, in Bangladesh, a school sanitation and hygiene education programme reported to increase girls' attendance rates by 11 per cent.
	Second, parents are more likely to send girls to school when they have ready access to safe, drinking water and girls are no longer required to collect water from distant water pumps.
	An example of how this assessment has been used in DFID's work is in Sudan. As part of its support for the peace process in Sudan, DFID has provided approximately 2 million to assist the United Nations Children's Fund's (UNICEF) education programmes in the conflict affected areas of the country, providing books and materials to over 2,000 primary schools and supporting the construction of water and sanitation facilities.

Gaza Strip

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in the town of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip.

Hilary Benn: The Israeli operation Forward Shield in Beit Hanoun has led to extensive damage and destruction to property, including agricultural land and infrastructure, in one of Gaza's most important agricultural regions. The levelling of a further 17 per cent. of total arable land in the last two months adds to the debilitating impact on the livelihoods and food security of Palestinians in the area. Over 50 per cent. of total agricultural land in the area has now been up-rooted since September 2000. As a result of residential buildings being destroyed, 145 people have been made homeless and another 580 people have had their homes damaged. Damage to public property has led to breaks in the water, power, sewerage and road networks. In addition, 17 privately owned water-wells were destroyed with consequences for access to drinking water and agricultural use. DFID funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency provides support for affected people in the area.

Sudan

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent meetings he has had with non-governmental organisations to discuss the humanitarian situation in Darfur, Sudan.

Hilary Benn: During my visit to Sudan in June, I met with representatives from non-governmental organisations in Khartoum and Darfur. Since my return, I have been in correspondence with several NGOs including Oxfam, Amnesty International and Save the Children UK. Officials from the joint FCO/DFID Sudan Unit hold frequent meetings with NGO representatives in Khartoum and London.
	The Foreign Secretary also met with NGO representatives in Khartoum and Darfur during his visit to Sudan in August. He also met with representatives in London prior to his departure and following his return.

Sudan

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received about the humanitarian situation in Darfur, Sudan.

Hilary Benn: I am gravely concerned about the situation in Darfur, Sudan and am keeping in close contact with developments. I am in regular dialogue about the humanitarian situation in Darfur with UN agencies, and Development Ministers in other donor Governments. I am also in regular correspondence with the NGO community. I receive numerous letters on Darfur from Members of this House, as well as from members of the public.

Sudan

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in (a) Sudan and (b) the Darfur region.

Hilary Benn: Sudan is a country in the midst of a chronic complex emergency. UN social indicators continue to be among the lowest in the world. Large areas of the country outside the more affluent area of Khartoum continue to need life-saving and life-sustaining assistance. Continuing conflict in many areas has resulted in persistently high levels of poverty as agricultural production is disrupted and land taken out of cultivation due to instability.
	With the expectation of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the coming months, humanitarian needs are likely to increase as the needs of returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from the conflict between the north and south of Sudan add to those affected by natural disaster.
	In Southern Sudan, 23 years of conflict has created critical food insecurity, an almost total lack of primary health care outside of what is provided by NGOs, and crisis levels of mortality and morbidity across the area. The conflict is estimated to have displaced 4 million people out of a total population of 5 million, some of whom are now refugees and some are IDPs. (A breakdown of this is provided in the table). The critical issue for the humanitarian community in the south is ensuring a stable and sustainable environment to help displaced people to return home. While the Comprehensive Peace Agreement holds out the prospect of peace in Southern Sudan, fighting continues, with an outbreak of militia activity in the Shilluk Kingdom, which has displaced 50,000 people since March 2004.
	Other areas of concern in Sudan include the Red Sea State in Northern Sudan, where the population of 700,00 has suffered persistent drought and repeated crop failures since 1988. The rainfall and predicted agricultural production for 2004 is better than the last few years, but due to the prolonged nature of the crisis, a large proportion of the general population is likely to remain short of food and to require food and nutritional assistance for some time to come.
	
		Summary of Sudanese IDPs and refugees
		
			  Number Source 
		
		
			 IDPs   
			 Greater Khartoum 2,000,000 Norwegian Refugee 
			 Northern Sudan (not 362,000 Council, 2004 and UN 
			 Khartoum or Darfur)  OCHA, 2004 
			 Darfur 1,000,000+  
			 Southern Sudan 750,000+  
			 Total 4,112,000  
			 Sudanese refugees   
			 Uganda 223,000  
			
			 Chad 110,000  
			 Ethiopia 90,000  
			 Democratic Republic of 70,000 UN High Commissioner for 
			 the Congo  Refugees (UNHCR), 2004 
			 Kenya 68,000  
			 Central African 36,000  
			 Republic   
			 Egypt 30,000  
			 Eritrea 660  
			 Total 627,660  
			
			 Refugees in Sudan   
			 Total from Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and others 270,000 UNHCR, 2004 
		
	
	The humanitarian situation in Darfur remains dire and urgent action is needed on all sides. Over 1.2 million people have been internally displaced in Darfur, and a further 200,000 have fled to Chad. The needs are enormous. Security in the camps has improved, but reports of attacks continue outside the camps, and IDPs, refugees and host communities in Darfur and Eastern Chad remain vulnerable as inter-tribal fighting continues and the levels of banditry and general insecurity remain. IDPs and refugees still lack adequate water and sanitation and many do not have adequate shelter against the rain and extreme conditions. Outbreaks of disease are a serious concern (a hepatitis E outbreak has already been diagnosed in West Darfur). Aid agencies are scaling up delivery of assistance, but capacity constraints remain. The UN estimates that 1,000 international staff are needed to cope with the crisis; 500 are currently working in Darfur. Humanitarian access has however improved and over 45 NGOs are registered, although not all are operational. The rainy season from May to September has also resulted in logistical difficulties, with the World Food Programme (WFP) resorting to airdrops of food in some inaccessible areas. A further constraint is that resources are still limited. The UN has revised its appeal for the crisis in Darfur and now estimates that it needs a total of $530 million for Chad and Darfur, of which $255 million is unmet. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to the humanitarian response, having allocated 62.5 million since September 2003. DFID is urging other donors to do more.

Sudan

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the United Kingdom Government will take (a) to prevent the forced return or relocation of (i) internally displaced people and (ii) refugees in Sudan and (b) to ensure that local Sudanese security forces and police protect the human rights of those who have suffered.

Chris Mullin: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government of Sudan on 21 August agreed with the International Organisation for Migration that the latter would determine that returns of Internally Displaced Persons or refugees are voluntary and appropriate. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on 30 August noted that the Government of Sudan was abiding by this commitment. We will continue to press the Government of Sudan to fulfil their obligations to provide proper protection to the civilian population, as called for in UNSCR 1556. We are providing support for the African Union Cease-fire Commission observer mission (2 million in addition to EU funding of 12 million), and have provided 250,000 to fund eight UN human rights monitors in Darfur.

Sudan

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will outline the role the United Kingdom Government intend to play to help peace talks between the warring parties in Darfur to lead to a just and meaningful peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

Chris Mullin: I have been asked to reply.
	Peace talks continue in Abuja, and the parties have drawn up a humanitarian protocol, which will commit them to improved humanitarian access. Discussions are currently focusing on security issues. These talks are key. Only through political negotiation will we be able to find a sustainable solution to the conflict. The UK is offering its full support to the African Union mediators; a UK observer is present in Abuja and we are working with our international partners, including through the UN Security Council, to bring pressure to bear on the parties to the conflict to engage constructively.

Sudan

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the United Kingdom Government will propose to the UN following the passing of the 30 August deadline imposed by the UN on the Sudanese Government; and what the United Kingdom Government's policy towards the Sudanese Government will be.

Chris Mullin: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made to the House on 7 September 2004, Official Report, columns 61518.

Locusts

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to assist the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in its request for more international aid to help tackle the locust plague in West Africa.

Hilary Benn: The UK committed 1.5 million ($2.7 million at current exchange rate) in August to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) international emergency appeal for the immediate control of the locust swarms. In total the international community has pledged $37 million.
	To date, the FAO has provided about $5 million to six countries and to four regional projects across West and North Africa. There is currently unspent donor money available from the international appeal. As the situation is easing in Morocco and Algeria, their governments are also redeploying resources in the south.
	The Department for International Development continues to monitor the situation closely. In the event that the situation deteriorates rapidly, the UK will review its response in line with the FAO and in-country logistics capacity given the difficulty of operating in such remote areas.

Zambia

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 21 June 2004, Official Report, column 1219W, on Zambia, what specific projects have received support in the Milanzi constituency of the Eastern Province of Zambia.

Hilary Benn: To date, one project specific to Milanzi constituency is receiving support. A local NGO called Shade the Shame has just been granted funding of 10,000 from the DFID financed Small Grant Scheme (SGS). Shade the Shame co-ordinates the activities of women's clubs in the district and currently has 22 affiliate clubs with 1,200 members. Each club specialises in a particular income generating activity. DFID's Grant will help purchase more equipment for the clubs, enhancing their productivity and increasing members' incomes.
	The SGS is managed by the British High Commission, and has a small budget each year. Priority is given to small-scale community enterprises that show an awareness of HIV and AIDS prevention and coping initiatives, and are environmentally sensitive.
	The Eastern Province of Zambia is the main focus for SGS funding this year. DFID is in the process of assessing a large number of applications from the Province, including some more proposals from the Milanzi constituency. Final decisions will be made by the end of September.

TREASURY

Civil Service Redundancies

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to each Government department of redundancy payments arising from staff reductions announced in the 2004 Spending Review.

Paul Boateng: Individual departments are responsible for managing any efficiency related workforce changes.

Honesty Hotline (Newhaven)

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have used the Honesty Hotline installed by HM Customs at Newhaven Port to report occasions where they may have exceeded the duty limit in each month since its installation.

John Healey: Customs does not maintain records on the number of calls of the type described originating at Newhaven.

Mountain Rescue Teams

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the zero rating of VAT to all purchases by mountain rescue teams to other items.

John Healey: Under long-standing formal agreements with our European partners, we are not able to extend or add to the current list of zero rates.
	However, as part of the wide range of VAT reliefs available to charities, rescue, or first aid charities may purchase VAT-free the specialised telecommunications, aural, visual, light enhancing or heat detecting equipment which they use. These charities are also able to buy medicines, medical equipment, ambulances and certain vehicles designed to transport disabled people free of VAT.

Mountain Rescue Teams

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce an across the board exemption from vehicle tax for dedicated rescue vehicles used by mountain rescue teams.

John Healey: Any changes to taxation policy are made by the Chancellor in the context of his Budget statement after considering relevant economic, social and environmental factors.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Human Rights

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  how many claims have been made in UK courts citing breach of the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 in each year since passage of that Act;
	(2)  how many court judgments have found a breach of the claimant's rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 in each year since passage of that Act.

David Lammy: This information is not maintained centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Legal Services Commission

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will break down by type of debt the money owed to the Legal Services Commission.

David Lammy: pursuant to his reply, 21 July 2004, Official Report, c. 376W
	I listed in my previous answer the break down by type of debt of the money owed to the Legal Services Commission in 200304. This omitted to indicate that these figures were in thousands and the following table now reflects this.
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 Contribution due from funded clients 29,509 
			 Costs to be recovered 25,431 
			 Statutory charge 263,896 
			 Damages 12,904 
			 Amounts due from suppliers 31,718 
			 Recovery of defence costs orders 1,722 
			 Accrued income European social fund 82 
			 Prepayments and other accrued income 404 
			 Total 365,666

Magistrates Court Cells (Aberystwyth)

Simon Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment has been made of the health and safety standards in Aberystwyth Magistrates' Court cells.

Christopher Leslie: holding answer 9 September 2004
	Custody facilities at courthouses are audited by the Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) at regular intervals against current standards of health and safety, decency and security. On 2 June 2004, a PECS audit concluded that the Aberystwyth Magistrates' Court cell complex meets basic health and safety standards.
	However, access to the cell area fails to meet the established security standards because there is no van dock and there is no direct access to the custody area from the courtrooms. In order to reduce risk the number and type of hearings with defendants in custody at the courts has been reduced. This allows the custody officers a greater degree of control over each custodial defendant brought before the Court.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

British Agricultural Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has taken to promote British agricultural products abroad.

Mike O'Brien: UK Trade and Investment works closely with Defra to help the British agricultural industry trade internationally. Our primary means is through the International Agriculture and Technology Centre based at Stoneleigh Park, which arranges a series of targeted events, inward and outward missions, and attendance at exhibitions where companies can improve their business prospects through international trade.

British Energy

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the current Government-backed rescue package for British Energy.

Stephen Timms: The terms of the Government's support for British Energy's restructuring plan were set out in the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 28 November 2002, Official Report, column 488. The latest position was set out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in her statement on 17 June 2004, Official Report, column 48WS.

Designated Accommodation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rooms are set aside for (a) the use of smokers, (b) worship, broken down by religion and (c) nursing mothers and pregnant women in each building and set of offices for which her Department is responsible.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department has 16 rooms set aside for use by smokers and three rooms set aside for worship. Each building has a first aid room that can be used by nursing mothers and pregnant women.

Foresight Project

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which scientists participated in the scoping workshops that began the Foresight project on Brain Science, Addiction and Drugs in March and April.

Patricia Hewitt: Set out as follows, is a list of the scientists who attended the two workshops my Department ran to help decide the focus for the Foresight project on Brain Science Addiction and Drugs.
	
		
			 Attendee Organisation 
		
		
			 Ball, Dr. David Institute of Psychiatry 
			 Barrett, Dr. Geoff Dstl 
			 Cave, Dr. Jonathan University of Warwick 
			 Collingridge, Professor Graham University of Bristol 
			 Cox, Professor Miles University of Wales 
			 Crome, Professor Ilana Keele University 
			 Curran, Professor Val UCL 
			 Davis, Dr. Paul NHS 
			 Dayan, Professor Peter Gatsby Institute, UCL 
			 Drummond, Professor Colin St. Georges Medical School 
			 Duka, Dr. Theodora University of Sussex 
			 Edwards, Professor Griffith Institute of Psychiatry 
			 Everitt, Professor Barry University of Cambridge 
			 Farrell, Professor Graham University of Loughborough 
			 Godfrey, Professor Christine University of York 
			 Gossop, Professor Michael Institute of Psychiatry 
			 Hammersley, Professor Richard University of Essex 
			 Heather, Professor Nick University of Northumbria 
			 Heffernan, Dr. Dorothy Psychoactivate 
			 Ingram, Professor Colin University of Newcastle 
			 Iversen, Professor Leslie University of Oxford 
			 Iversen, Professor Susan University of Oxford 
			 Kelly, Dr. Paul University of Edinburgh 
			 Killcross, Dr. Simon University of Cardiff 
			 King, Sir David Chief Scientific Adviser, OST 
			 Marsden, Professor Charles University of Nottingham 
			 McKeganey, Professor Neil University of Glasgow 
			 Morton, Dr. Jenny University of Cambridge 
			 Mulkeen, Dr. Declan Medical Research Council (MRC) 
			 Mundy, Dr. Chris National Institute of Neurosciences 
			 Nutt, Professor David University of Bristol 
			 Orford, Professor Jim University of Birmingham 
			 Pearson, Professor Geoffrey Goldsmiths College 
			 Pembrey, Professor Marcus University of Bristol 
			 Plant, Professor Martin University of West of England 
			 Plant, Professor Moira University of West of England 
			 Robbins, Professor Trevor University of Cambridge 
			 Rose, Professor Steven Open University 
			 Rouse, Ms Ros ESRC 
			 Sahakian, Professor Barbara University of Cambridge 
			 Stephens, Professor Dai University of Sussex 
			 Stimson, Professor Gerry Imperial College 
			 Strang, Professor John Institute of Psychiatry 
			 Williams, Dr. John Wellcome Trust 
		
	
	A copy of the key points raised at the workshops and the areas we are seeking to explore is available at www.foresight.gov.uk.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Adults with Learning Difficulties (Housing)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to amend planning guidance to local authorities on the development of residential homes for adults with learning difficulties in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consulted last year on a proposed update to Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (PPG3), titled Influencing the Size, Type and Affordability of Housing. The proposed update places more emphasis, than currently in PPG3, on producing a better match between the housing planned and the needs of the community, particularly in terms of the size, type and affordability of housing, both in urban and rural areas. We intend to publish the update in the autumn.
	Local planning authorities should already be assessing the housing needs of specific groups, including adults with learning difficulties, as part of their local housing needs assessment. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently revising the guidance to local planning authorities on carrying out such assessments and will be publishing an updated guide by the end of the year.

Agricultural Land Sales

Huw Edwards: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will extend the consultation on planning aspects of the subdivision and sale of agricultural land to include woodlands and meadows.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not aware that the same concerns over the planning issues that have arisen in the context of subdivision and subsequent sale of agricultural land apply to woodlands and meadows. Accordingly they have not specifically been included in our consideration of possible solutions.

Brighton (Football Stadium)

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the guidelines he is making available to the inspector who will consider the reconvened public inquiry into the application for a football stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Keith Hill: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister advised the agent to Brighton and Hove Albion FC by letter of 26 July 2004 that he wished to re-open the inquiry concerning this application. The reason given in the letter for doing so was that he wished to be further informed upon the question of the availability and suitability of seven alternative sites. That letter was copied to the main parties to the inquiry and is in the public domain.

Brighton (Football Stadium)

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his recent announcement reopening the public inquiry into the planning application for a football stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion, whether he has accepted that there is a national need for such a stadium.

Keith Hill: The First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has not yet reached a view on the proposal for a football stadium at Falmer. Arrangements are currently being made for the inquiry to be re-opened. A decision will be made on the basis of the material planning considerations and all the available evidence, including the report of the re-opened inquiry, once that is submitted to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

Council Tax

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the band D council tax precept levied by the Greater London Authority (GLA) is; and how it has changed since the GLA's establishment.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is tabled as follows:
	Taxpayers living in the City of London are not required to contribute towards the Metropolitan police because the City provides its own police force. Separate figures are therefore given for the Band D council tax payable by taxpayers in London and the City.
	
		
			  GLA Band D council tax for London boroughs () Percentage increase GLA Band D council tax for City of London () Percentage increase 
		
		
			 200001(17) 122.98  32.03  
			 200102 150.88 22.7 32.03 0.0 
			 200203 173.88 15.2 43.29 35.2 
			 200304 224.40 29.1 65.27 50.8 
			 200405 241.33 7.5 57.25 -12.3 
		
	
	(17) The amounts for 200001 were set by central government rather than by the GLA.

Disabled Facilities Grant Programme

Sue Doughty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what conclusions have resulted from the joint review with the Department of Health in the context of the Spending Review 2004 of the disabled facilities grant programme.

Keith Hill: Following the Spending Review, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering how to allocate the total resources between different programmes. The joint review with the Department of Health of the operation of the disabled facilities grant programme is on-going, and its conclusions will be announced in Spring 2005.

Energy Crops Grant Scheme

James Gray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs prior to the publication of Planning Policy Statement 22 about its Energy Crops Grant scheme under the England Rural Development Programme.

Keith Hill: Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs were involved in several discussions relating to the contents of Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) prior to its publication. However, as PPS22 is a national planning policy statement, and the planting of crops, for whatever purpose, is not a planning matter, the Energy Crops Grant Scheme was not specifically discussed.

Fly-posting

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice (a) the Department and (b) the Environment Agency gives to local authorities on how to deal with illegal fly-posting.

Keith Hill: The Government's advice to local planning authorities on how to deal with fly-posting is set out in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Good Practice Guide The Control of Fly-Posting published in 2000. Advice is also given in part V of DOE Circular 5/92 and Welsh Office Circular 14/92.

Forest of Dean Local Plan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what date he will determine whether he will direct the Forest of Dean district council, under section 44(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), in relation to the adoption of their District Local Plan.

Keith Hill: On 17 August 2004 the Government Office for the South West, on behalf of the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, directed the Forest of Dean district council not to adopt the Local Plan. This direction will remain in place until it has been decided whether to intervene further. There is no statutory timetable prescribed for action under the provisions of section 44(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) but my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is anxious to ensure that the current situation is resolved as quickly as possible.

High Hedges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when regulations allowing local authorities to tackle high hedges will come into effect.

Keith Hill: Regulations bringing into force the provisions in part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act, which give local authorities powers to deal with complaints about high hedges, are expected to come into effect towards the end of 2004.

Highways Maintenance

Brian Cotter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average Standard Spending Assessment/Formula Spending Share funding per head has been for highways maintenance in (a) England and (b) North Somerset in each year since 1997.

Nick Raynsford: Tabled as follows are the highway maintenance Standard Spending Assessment/Formula Spending Share (SSA/FSS) per head for both England and North Somerset for each year since 1997, as requested.
	
		 per head
		
			  England North Somerset 
		
		
			 199798 35.97 34.37 
			 199899 36.00 33.89 
			 19992000 36.79 33.80 
			 200001 37.55 34.85 
			 200102 38.29 37.00 
			 200203 39.10 38.66 
			 200304 39.74 37.47 
			 200405 40.43 38.74 
		
	
	Both Standard Spending Assessments and Formula Spending Shares are neither the amount an authority has spent on a particular service nor are they the Government's assessment of how much money should be spent on a particular service by an authority. Additionally they are not grant. They are simply formulae used in the calculation of Revenue Support Grant.

Listed Buildings

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many buildings listed for their historic or architectural interest were demolished in each of the last three years for which figures are available (a) as a result of permission of the local planning authority, (b) on appeal to a government planning inspector and (c) without permission;
	(2)  how many owners of buildings listed for their historic or architectural interest were prosecuted in each of the last three years for which figures are available for demolishing the buildings without permission; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: This information is not collected by central Government. However, since the 4 May English Heritage have been logging records of Listed Building Consent applications for total demolition, and by the close of the 200405 financial year will be able to provide a report on the number of applications.

Local Government/Finance

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether local authorities are required to obtain the best value for land and buildings of which they dispose.

Keith Hill: Local authorities have discretionary powers to dispose of land in any manner they wish under sections 123 and 127 of the Local Government Act 1972. Under these provisions, disposals must be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable, unless the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister gives his consent to the disposal. The 2003 General Disposal Consent which was issued in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Circular 06/2003 on 4 August 2003, allows authorities, in certain circumstances, to dispose of land at less than market value without having to seek the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's specific consent. Where authorities wish to dispose of open space land that is used for public recreation, they must first advertise their intentions in a local newspaper to comply with the statutory requirements of the 1972 Act and consider any objections they receive.

Local Government/Finance

Brian Cotter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average Standard Spending Assessment/formula spending share funding per head has been for all services in (a) England and (b) North Somerset in each year since 1997; and if he will estimate the sums that would be available for services in North Somerset if the average SSA/FSS funding per head were the same as the English average.

Nick Raynsford: Tabled as follows are the total Standard Spending Assessment/Formula Spending Share (SSA/FSS) per head for both England and North Somerset for each year since 1997, as requested.
	
		 per head
		
			  England North Somerset 
		
		
			 199798 829.45 660.18 
			 199899 869.19 688.86 
			 19992000 907.66 713.57 
			 200001 943.33 736.84 
			 200102 980.69 767.95 
			 200203 995.30 779.11 
			 200304 1,177.45 953.27 
			 200405 1,222.22 954.08 
		
	
	The England figure covers all services, including police and fire services.
	Police services in the North Somerset area are provided by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary; and fire services are provided by the Avon Fire and Rescue Service. The Police Service is funded directly via Formula Grant throughout the period covered in the table. The Fire Service was also funded directly via Formula Grant in 200405; previously the Avon Fire and Rescue Service levied for this service on North Somerset council. North Somerset's FSS data reflect these arrangements i.e. the FSS does not cover police services nor does it cover fire services in 200405.
	Both Standard Spending Assessments and Formula Spending Shares are neither the amount an authority has spent on a particular service nor are they the Government's assessment of how much money should be spent on a particular service by an authority. Additionally they are not grant. They are simply formulae used in the calculation of Revenue Support Grant.
	It is not therefore possible to calculate the amount of Formula Grant that would have been provided to North Somerset if it had received the England average FSS per head.

Mobile Phone Masts

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning appeals against the refusal of the siting of mobile telephone masts were made in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and of these how many were upheld in favour of the mobile telephone companies.

Keith Hill: No information is held about appeal decisions for mobile phone masts specifically. The following information therefore relates to appeal decisions about telecommunications development generally.
	
		
			  Number of appeals decided Number of appeals allowed Number of appeals disallowed Percentage allowed 
		
		
			 200001 281 183 98 65.12 
			 200102 456 294 162 64.47 
			 200203 830 531 299 63.98 
			 200304 630 363 267 57.62 
			 200405 129 69 60 53.49 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures relate to the period in which the appeal was received, not necessarily the period in which it was decided.

Satellite and Cable TV Subscriptions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of satellite and cable subscriptions in his Department's buildings was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will list the premium channels to which his Department subscribes.

Phil Hope: In 200304, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister spent 21,310 inc. VAT on cable and satellite subscriptions. This comprised 1,750 on satellite and 19,560 on cable subscriptions. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister subscribes to the cheapest available business package. This includes no premium channels although until November 2003 it included Sky Sports 1.
	In the London HQ buildings the business of the House and division bells are also delivered over the cable network.
	Although the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has overall responsibility for the buildings occupied by Government Offices, they carry out functions on behalf of 10 Departments.

Unauthorised Caravanning

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to coordinate policy, law and collection of statistics between the administrations in the common travel area for unauthorised caravanning and encampments.

Keith Hill: Strong links already exist between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Republic of Ireland's Department of the Environment in respect of Gypsy and Traveller policy. There have been recent official-level discussions on policy, law and data collection as part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Review of Gypsy and Traveller policy. These discussions will inform the recommendations of the Review.
	Robust laws and guidance are in place in both the UK and the Republic to deal with incidents of unauthorised camping. In addition, statistical data on the nomadic Gypsy and Traveller community is collected and published twice yearly in England, and yearly in the Republic.

DEFENCE

Designated Accommodation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rooms are set aside for (a) the use of smokers, (b) worship, broken down by religion and (c) nursing mothers and pregnant women in each building and set of offices for which his Department is responsible.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence is fully committed to providing a safe environment and workplace where all staff are valued and respected irrespective of different background and cultures.
	The provision of dedicated rooms for the areas covered in the question is not a central responsibility, but a matter for each individual Head of Establishment. Records are not held centrally and to gather and collate such information would incur disproportionate costs.

HMS Daedalus

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the expressions of interest in HMS Daedalus that he has received.

Ivor Caplin: As a result of English Partnership's 40-day consultation with other Government Departments, two 'Expressions of Interest' have been received as Priority Assessment Reports from the Maritime Coastguard Agency (Department of Transport) and the South-East England Development Agency.

MOD Estate (Northern Ireland)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the size of the Ministry of Defence estate in Northern Ireland.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence estate in Northern Ireland currently consists of:
	2751.643 Ha Freehold
	274.522 Ha Leasehold
	and 566.037 Ha Licensed land.

Separated Service Recording Systems

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much separated service was recorded by the (a) RAF Separated Service Recording System in each year since 2002 and (b) Navy Separated Service Recording System in each year since 2001.

Ivor Caplin: The information is as follows:
	(a) RAF Separated Service
	The following table shows Separated Service recorded by the RAF Separated Service Recording System in each year since 2002.
	
		
			  Number of personnel spending time on Separated Service Number of instances of Separated Service Number of days spent on Separated Service 
		
		
			 2002 35,400 109,600 2,205,500 
			 2003 35,300 110.400 2,236,700 
			 2004 (up to 30 June) 27,300 60,900 925,100 
		
	
	Separated service includes deployment, training for deployment and routine tasks and routine training courses.
	(b) Navy Separated Service
	A system for recording separated service has been implemented, but data is still being gathered and problems have arisen in transferring data from ships and units to the central systems. The coverage of the data is therefore still insufficient to allow meaningful statistical analysis at this time.

SERCO-Denholm

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2004, Official Report, columns 135657W, on SERCO-Denholm, whether it is his policy that the pension rights of these workers should be equivalent to the pension rights that they would have obtained had they remained in the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme throughout their period of employment with the new employer; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 8 September 2004
	The transfer of Ministry of Defence employees to SERCO-Denholm, following the Marine Services Market Test, reflected the accepted practice at that time, namely that the pension scheme would be broadly comparable to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme at the point of transfer. Subsequently, the policy was changed under the Government's code of practice entitled 'Transfer of Government Staff: A Fair Deal for Pensions', which was issued in 1999 and expanded in June 2004. When Government employees are transferred under the 'Fair Deal' policy, a broadly comparable scheme and bulk transfer terms have to be considered in any second and subsequent generation transfers.

Strategic Missile Defence

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his Danish counterpart on strategic missile defence; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I have had no recent discussions on missile defence with my Danish counterpart. Officials keep in touch with the Danish authorities on matters of common interest relating to missile defence.

Strategic Missile Defence

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on stationing strategic missile defence sites on the UK mainland; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Government have not reached a decision on whether to acquire a strategic ballistic missile defence capability for the United Kingdom. The UK has agreed only to the use of RAF Fylingdales as part of the United States missile defence system.

Strategic Missile Defence

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from his US counterpart on the proposal for strategic missile defence stations to be situated in Central Europe.

Geoff Hoon: I have received no such representations on the issue of strategic missile defence stations in Central Europe. Officials keep in close touch with the US Administration as well as with NATO allies, on missile defence issues, including the offer by the US to extend missile defences to friends and allies.

Territorial Army (Iraq)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his appraisal is of the role of the Territorial Army in the Iraq war and subsequent peace-keeping operation.

Ivor Caplin: The Territorial Army (TA) has performed, and continues to perform, a vital and active role alongside their regular counterparts, contributing to a wide range of our operations in Iraq. Indeed, the TA currently provides approximately 20 per cent. of our ground forces in Iraq.
	The TA is a highly valued and respected part of our armed forces, and the work of all those who have deployed has been greatly appreciated. The use of Reservists during this campaign has been entirely in line with the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review. The roles undertaken by the TA have clearly demonstrated the strategic intent of having more capable, usable and relevant reserve forces, which support their regular counterparts on operations.

WALES

Council of Ministers

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  if he will provide a written ministerial statement outlining the key points on the agenda for each of the Council of Ministers' meetings at which his Department is represented in advance of each meeting;
	(2)  if he will provide a written ministerial statement outlining for each meeting of the Council of Ministers at which his Department is represented as soon as is practicable following that meeting (a) the key items of discussion, (b) the positions of the Government on those items, (c) the key positions taken by other member states that Ministers consider should be noted by hon. Members and (d) any preliminary discussion on the timing and the agenda of the following meeting.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her today by the Foreign Secretary.

Public Services (Comparative Provision)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research his Department has commissioned regarding comparative levels of public services in England and of Welsh Assembly run public services in Wales, with particular reference to (a) health and (b) education.

Don Touhig: None.
	A wide range of information and data on health and education in England and Wales is produced by both the Government and the National Assembly for Wales and is publicly available.
	The Statistical Directorate of the National Assembly for Wales produces statistics related to health and education in Wales. This can be found by accessing the website: www.wales.gsi.gov.uk.
	Information on health in England can be obtained from the Department of Health at: www.dh.gov.uk
	Information on education in England can be obtained from the Department for Education and Skills at: www.des.gov.uk
	The Office for National Statistics also produces a large amount of publicly available information, which can be accessed via their website: www.statistics.gov.uk

Truancy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to meet Welsh Assembly secretaries to discuss strategies to deal with crime linked to school truancy in Wales.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet Assembly Ministers to discuss matters affecting Wales.
	A number of multi-agency arrangements are employed to tackle truancy in Wales. The police and Community Safety Partnerships are key stakeholders in these initiatives, and programmes are in place to deal with young people showing a significant risk of developing criminal and antisocial behaviour.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Serious Fraud Office

David Kidney: To ask the Solicitor-General what recent assessment she has made of the conviction rate achieved by the Serious Fraud Office.

Harriet Harman: In the year ending 4 April 2004, the conviction rate in SFO cases was 51 per cent. Over the past five years the average conviction rate was 75 per cent.
	At the conclusion of each case the SFO holds a conference to consider what lessons can be learned.

PRIME MINISTER

Gifts

Sue Doughty: To ask the Prime Minister whether he received any gifts from Prime Minister Berlusconi while he was a guest of the Italian Prime Minister during summer 2004.

Tony Blair: The Government are committed to publishing an annual list of gifts received by Ministers in an official capacity valued at more than 140. The list of gifts for 200405 will be published as soon as possible after the end of this Financial Year.

Honours

David Drew: To ask the Prime Minister what procedures are in place for the removal of an honour from an individual convicted of a serious crime in this country or abroad.

Tony Blair: Her Majesty the Queen may, on the advice of Ministers, cancel membership of any of the Orders of Knighthood or appointment as Knight Bachelor. Cancellation is considered in cases where the retention of the appointment or award would bring the honours system into disrepute. Proposals for forfeiture are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Press (Meetings)

Sue Doughty: To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has had with the (a) proprietors and (b) editors of national newspapers in the last 12 months; who instigated each meeting; and what subjects were discussed in each meeting.

Tony Blair: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

All-postal Ballots

Andrew Robathan: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will make a statement on the recent report of the Electoral Commission on all-postal ballots.

Peter Viggers: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier this afternoon to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant).

All-postal Ballots

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what steps the Committee is taking to determine whether the Electoral Commission is assessing the integrity of the postal ballot in an efficient and effective manner.

Peter Viggers: The Speaker's Committee has a statutory obligation to satisfy itself that the Electoral Commission's Estimates and Corporate Plans are consistent with the economical, efficient and effective discharge by the Commission of its functions before it lays these before the House. Within that framework, and subject to any statutory directions it may receive from the Government in respect of particular matters, it is for the Commission itself to decide how it discharges its functions.
	On 27 August, in accordance with its statutory obligations under the European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Act 2004, the Commission published four regional evaluation reports following the all-postal pilot schemes earlier this year. The reports include assessments as to the integrity of the pilot schemes; a separate report published on the same day also makes recommendations for future improvements in relation to postal voting more generally.

All-postal Ballots

Clive Betts: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will make a statement on the recent report by the Electoral Commission on all-postal ballots.

Peter Viggers: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier this afternoon to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant).

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Competitive Sport

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage schools to take part in competitive sports fixtures.

Stephen Twigg: The Government are firmly in favour of competitive school sport. The Physical Education (PE) National Curriculum requires that all pupils are taught competitive games throughout their compulsory schooling. Increasing the quality and amount of competitive school sport is also a key aim of the Government's national PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy.
	Spearheading action is the creation of a network of 400 School Sport Partnershipsfamilies of schoolsthat work together to enhance school sport opportunities. There are already 313 School Sport Partnerships covering 50 per cent. of schools in England, All schools will be within a partnership by 2006. All partnerships deliver a programme of out-of-school hours sports activities, including sports competitions.
	The 200304 PE, School Sport and Club Links surveyresults were published on 29 April and a copy of the report was placed in the House of Commons Libraryfound that: 96 per cent. of the 6,500 schools taking part held a sports day, in a typical week 22 per cent. of pupils are involved in intra school sports competitions and during the last academic year 33 per cent. of pupils had taken part in inter school sports competitions.

Deacon's Academy, Peterborough

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the admission criteria for the proposed Deacon's Academy in Peterborough.

Charles Clarke: holding answer 8 September 2004
	I am currently considering proposals to enter into a funding agreement to establish the Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough. Admissions arrangements form part of these proposals. I hope to reach a decision shortly.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many maintained secondary schools did not offer study of a modern foreign language to (a) any and (b) all pupils at key stage 4 in the last period for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: The Department does not collate information on the numbers of maintained secondary schools offering modern foreign languages to (a) any or (b) all of their pupils at key stage 4. However, modern foreign languages remained part of the National Curriculum at key stage 4 until the end of the last academic year and as such the Department would have expected all schools to offer modern foreign languages to all pupils at key stage 4.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many language assistants are employed in maintained primary schools;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the percentage of (a) children in maintained schools learning a modern foreign language at Key Stage 2 and (b) maintained primary schools teaching a modern foreign language at Key Stage 2.

Stephen Twigg: These data are not collected centrally by the Department. We have commissioned baseline research into modern foreign language teaching and learning at Key Stage 2. This report, which was originally planned to be published earlier in the year, will now be published at the end of September. The report will give an indication of these figures, at the time of the survey in 2003.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when his Department will issue an invitation to tender for the operation of the voluntary recognition system for language skills.

Stephen Twigg: Following a tendering exercise, the contract for the operation of the voluntary recognition system for languages was awarded to the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) in February 2004.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when his Department will introduce the voluntary recognition system for language skills; and which languages will be covered.

Stephen Twigg: Following a limited pilot in 2004/05, the first suite of external qualifications for the voluntary recognition system for language skillsThe Languages Ladderwill be nationally available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu in the academic year 2005/06. A wider range of languages will be on offer from 2006/07 and additional languages will be added to the scheme in subsequent years.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what budget his Department has allocated for the voluntary recognition system for language skills for (a) 200405, (b) 200506 and (c) 200607.

Stephen Twigg: 2 million has been allocated for the development and operation of the voluntary recognition system for language skills for each of the years 200405 and 200506. Until a decision on the allocation of the latest spending review settlement is made, it is not possible to say how much funding has been allocated for 200607.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the work of the National Director for Languages.

Stephen Twigg: Dr. Lid King, previously Director of CILTThe National Centre of Languages, was appointed National Director for Languages in September 2003. Dr. King plays a key role in the implementation of the Government's National Languages Strategy, giving strategic direction, stimulating and co-ordinating action across all sectors, and championing languages in general. He works closely with key stakeholders in primary, secondary, further and higher education, adult learning and business.

Foreign Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what budget was available to the National Director for Languages in 200304; and what budget will be available to that office for financial years (a) 200405 and (b) 200506.

Stephen Twigg: The National Languages Strategy is supported by dedicated investment which will rise to 10 million per year by 200506. In 200304, 4 million was available and in the current financial year, 200405, 8 million is available.

Head Teachers

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average length of time a head teacher spent in post in the (a) primary and (b) secondary sectors was in the latest year for which figures are available.

David Miliband: Information on teachers' length of service is obtained from the Database of Teachers Records which is maintained primarily for pensions administration purposes. This source provides the total amount of service of teachers since they were first appointed but not the length of time spent in a particular post or at a particular grade.
	Table 22 of the School Workforce in England 2003 volume of statistics contains details of the total length of service of current head teachers by phase of education. This publication has been placed in the House of Commons Library or can also be accessed from the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000380/index.shtml.

Primary Class Sizes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average number of pupils in primary classes in the London Borough of Havering was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004; and what the figures are for all other London boroughs.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary schools(18): Average size of one teacher classes 1997 and 2004 (provisional v2)position in January each yearby local education authority
		
			 Local education authority 1997 2004 
		
		
			 201 City of London 26.0 (19) 
			 202 Camden 27.1 27.0 
			 203 Greenwich 26.0 25.7 
			 204 Hackney 26.1 26.1 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 25.3 25.2 
			 206 Islington 26.6 25.7 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 25.3 26.1 
			 208 Lambeth 25.2 25.8 
			 209 Lewisham 26.1 25.9 
			 210 Southwark 26.4 25.7 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 26.2 26.1 
			 212 Wandsworth 25.8 26.0 
			 213 Westminster 24.2 26.0 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 27.0 25.8 
			 302 Barnet 26.2 27.1 
			 303 Bexley 28.8 27.5 
			 304 Brent 26.5 27.3 
			 305 Bromley 28.5 27.2 
			 306 Croydon 28.3 27.1 
			 307 Eating 27.1 26.5 
			 308 Enfield 29.1 27.9 
			 309 Haringey 26.9 27.5 
			 310 Harrow 27.5 26.3 
			 311 Havering 27.9 27.1 
			 312 Hillingdon 27.2 26.5 
			 313 Hounslow 26.8 26.1 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 29.4 27.0 
			 315 Merton 27.3 25.5 
			 316 Newham 27.9 27.4 
			 317 Redbridge 28.4 27.5 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 27.2 26.6 
			 319 Sutton 28.1 27.6 
			 320 Waltham Forest 26.6 26.2 
		
	
	(18) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(19) Provisional figures not available. Final figures available after 30 September.

School Building Projects

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the (a) average, (b) shortest and (c) longest length of time taken between 1997 and 2004 to complete a building project to expand capacity in a school was from the start of specifying the project to the opening of the new capacity;
	(2)  what the (a) average, (b) shortest and (c) longest length of time taken between 1997 and 2004 to complete a building project for a new school was from the start of specifying the project to the opening of the new building.

David Miliband: School building projects are procured locally, and we do not normally, therefore, collect information on specific projects.
	With the advent of the Building Schools for the Future programme, however, the Department intends to collect and use such information to improve procurement timeframes across the sector and to embed best practice over the construction life cycle. This drive for efficiency gains will be reinforced through a performance management regime across the Building Schools for the Future programme.

School Music

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the Government's strategy for music in schools.

David Miliband: Music is a statutory entitlement for all pupils up to the age of 14, and can be taken as an option at Key Stage 4. The music curriculum provides an opportunity for all children to sing and play musical instrument; as well as to listen to, compose and perform music from a range of different cultures and times.
	The Department has also made a commitment, over time, to offer every primary school child the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. For the exceptionally talented, additional opportunities exist through the Music and Dance Scheme, junior conservatoires and the National Youth Music Organisations.
	Our priorities for the future of music education are set out in the Music Manifesto, which was launched on 6 July 2004. They are to:
	provide every young person with first access to a range of music experiences;
	provide more opportunities for young people to deepen and broaden their musical interests and skills;
	identify and nurture our most talented young musicians;
	develop a world class workforce in music education; and
	improve the support structures for young people's music making.
	You can find out more about how the Department will deliver these key objectives by visiting our pledge on the Music Manifesto website at: www.musicmanifesto.co.uk

School Sports Facilities

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to open up schools sports facilities to the wider community out-of-hours.

Stephen Twigg: We want all schools to be extended schools, making wider use of their facilities, including sports facilities. Our recently published Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners includes our vision for extended schools at both primary and secondary level which focuses on schools making wider use of their facilities and providing a core offer of services, including widespread community use of specialist facilities such as sports halls.
	The Government have made funding available to support local co-ordination and management of extended services in schools, and to create up to 240 full service extended school models, with at least one in each LEA area, by 2006. These schools will provide a prescribed core range of extended services and facilities, including sports and arts facilities.

School Sports Partnerships

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) schools and (b) school pupils are not participating in a school sports partnership.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested is not held in the format requested. From September 2004, there are 313 School Sport Partnerships incorporating 50 per cent. of schools in England, this will increase to at least 75 per cent. of schools by 2005. All schools and pupils will be within a School Sport Partnership by 2006.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Beijing +10

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his plans are for his Department's involvement in the Beijing Platform for Action; known as Beijing +10.

Bill Rammell: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Women gave on 7 September 2004, Official Report, column 937W.

Butler Report

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to paragraph 512 of the Butler Report, HC 898, on what date the Secret Intelligence Service became aware that the validity of the intelligence report on which the 45 minute claim was based had come into question; on what date Government ministers were informed of this; and how many links there were in the reporting chain for the 45 minute claim intelligence report.

Jack Straw: Government Ministers were informed at the beginning of June about concerns that had arisen in mid-May regarding the validity of the intelligence reporting on which the 45-minute claim was based. Paragraph 399 of the Butler Report explains why it is not possible to set out in full the analysis of main SIS sources whose reporting underpinned JIC assessments, and this applies to details such as the number of links in the reporting chain for specific reports.

Butler Report

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to paragraph 442 of the Butler Report, HC 898, for what reasons there was an urgent requirement for intelligence.

Jack Straw: The urgent need for intelligence was a result of the international community's lack of reliable information as to Iraqi activities in the absence of UN inspectors between December 1998 and November 2002 caused by Iraq's continuing failure to meet its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions. As the Butler Report itself states, obtaining intelligence on Iraq had been a long-standing high priority throughout the years of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Chinese Students (Visas)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chinese students were refused (a) short stay summer visas and (b) higher education visas in 200405.

Chris Mullin: Applicants for short courses of study in the UK apply in the visitor category and it is not possible to separate them out from other visit visa applications without incurring disproportionate costs. Students applying for courses in higher education are not recorded separately from other student applications and again to do so would incur disproportionate costs.
	However, I am able to provide the following figures, which relate to all student entry clearance applications submitted in China so far this financial year (1 April to 8 September):
	
		
			 Applications Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Received 21,776  
			 Issued 14,624 67 
			 Refused 6,790 31 
		
	
	These figures do not add up exactly as applications may be received at the end of the period under review but issued or refused in the next.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter to him dated 2 August from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Arshad Mahmood Rashad.

Chris Mullin: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Rammell) sent an interim reply on 6 September while details of the application were being verified. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary sent a substantive reply on 9 September.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 29 July on behalf of a constituent reference 316919/04.

Chris Mullin: I replied to my hon. Friend's letter on 9 September.

Council of Ministers

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will provide a written ministerial statement outlining the key points on the agenda for each of the Council of Ministers' meetings at which his Department is represented in advance of each meeting;
	(2)  if he will provide a written ministerial statement outlining for each meeting of the Council of Ministers at which his Department is represented as soon as it is practicable following that meeting (a) the key items of discussion, (b) the positions of the Government on those items, (c) the key positions taken by other member states that Ministers consider should be noted by Members and (d) any preliminary discussion on the timing and the agenda of the following meeting.

Jack Straw: This is a useful suggestion and HMG will consider it further in line with its policy of keeping Parliament better informed on EU business.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement the British high commissioner for Cyprus is having with (a) the Greek Cypriot and (b) the Turkish Cypriot Mayors of Famagusta in efforts to redevelop the town.

Denis MacShane: The British high commission, including the high commissioner, maintains contacts with a wide range of individuals and groups on both sides interested in the development of Famagusta.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) support from the British Government and (b) financial support from the European Union he will seek to give to the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot Mayors of Famagusta to reopen the port of Famagusta.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 1 September 2004, Official Report, column 680W.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had in his recent meeting with Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat on his willingness to co-operate with the Greek Cypriot Government on seeking to resolve the issue of missing people following the events of 1974 in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not directly address the question of missing persons on Cyprus in his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Talat on 1 July. But the Government have in the recent past made it clear to Mr. Talat that we applaud his commitment to resolve this longstanding issue.
	As my hon. Friend knows, staff at the British High Commission in Nicosia work closely with the United Nations' Acting Third Member of the Committee on Missing Persons in order to identify areas where the UK can play a helpful role. We welcome the recent resumption of formal meetings of the Committee on Missing Persons and urge both sides to do all they can to resolve this painful humanitarian issue as soon as possible and in the best interest of the families.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Northern Cyprus Administration to ensure that the land on which property developments are taking place do not belong to Greek Cypriot people who left Northern Cyprus following the events of 1974; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Satisfactorily resolving the issue of property is central to achieving a comprehensive and sustainable settlement in Cyprus. The UN Secretary General's comprehensive proposals set out a way to resolve the property questions, based in part on Greek Cypriot ideas. It is a matter of deep regret that the UN Secretary-General's settlement plan was rejected by the Greek Cypriots on 24 April.
	In our contacts with both sides, we have always urged that they avoid any action that might be prejudicial to a settlement. This applies to all aspects of the Cyprus problem, including property.
	Because of the political situation in Cyprus, the Government advises that UK citizens take qualified legal advice before purchasing property anywhere on the island. We also point out that those considering a purchase in the north of Cyprus should be aware that the non-recognition of the 'TRNC' and a future settlement of the Cyprus problem could have implications for their property.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had in his recent meeting in London with Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat on the involvement of the Turkish army in the day-to-day affairs of Northern Cyprus; and what future role he wishes to see the Turkish army have in Cyprus.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I discussed a wide range of issues with Mr. Talat, including Turkish troops in northern Cyprus.
	An integral element of the UN Secretary General's comprehensive proposals, supported by the UK, was the demilitarisation of the island and progressive withdrawal of foreign troops (both Greek and Turkish)ultimately leaving just 950 Greek and 650 Turkish troops, as sanctioned by the 1960 treaties. As the plan was not accepted by both sides, there is no agreement on early withdrawal of Turkish troops.
	Any steps taken now, however, to reduce existing troop levels by either side would be welcome.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had in his recent meeting with Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat on the future of Famagusta and of the development of facilities within the town; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not discuss the development of Famagusta town with Mr. Talat during their meeting on 1 July.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 1 September 2004, Official Report, column 680W.

Guantanamo Bay

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when complaints made by British citizens held in detention by the United States Government at Camp Delta in Guantanamo in Cuba, in respect of their treatment during questioning and generally while being detained, were made known to him; what investigations he made into the allegations; what consequent actions he took; whether he has examined the allegations made by three British former detainees from Tipton in their collective dossier released in August; and what representations he has made to his United States counterpart on this matter.

Chris Mullin: British officials have visited British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay on eight occasions. Following each visit, Ministers have been informed of the details of the visit, including any complaints made by the detainees. Follow-up action has then been taken with the US authorities at all levels, including at Foreign Minister level. We continue to pursue actively with the US authorities our outstanding welfare concerns. We are also examining the recent report issued by the three British former detainees from Tipton.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2004, Official Report, column 1303W, on Iraq, what methodology was used to assess that there was no new information contained in the quantities of documents that remained to be translated; and whether all the documents that formed the declaration have now been translated.

Denis MacShane: In the interests of speed, the process of analysing the Iraqi declaration concentrated on identifying key words and passages to which priority translation was given. It quickly became clear that Iraq had not provided information on the outstanding disarmament issues that had been identified by the UN Special Commission in their final report.
	Translation of the declaration was complete by mid-March 2003.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether UNMOVIC and the IAEA decided that parts of the Iraqi declaration of its weapons of mass destruction needed to be excised before it distributed the report to all members of the UN Security Council; and whether all members of the Security Council have now received (a) an unedited and (b) an edited version of the declaration.

Denis MacShane: Certain passages of the Iraqi declaration relating to Iraq's nuclear programme were excised by UNMOVIC and the IAEA before distribution to non-nuclear weapon states. All members of the Security Council at the time received copies of this edited version. The full version was made available only to the Permanent Members of the Security Council.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the UK Government became aware that Iraq had 500 tonnes of yellowcake stored at a facility near Tuwaitha, south of Baghdad.

Denis MacShane: Under UN Security Council resolution 687, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was mandated to investigate and dismantle Iraq's nuclear weapons programmes and to monitor all nuclear-related activity in Iraq. As part of this process, in the early part of the 1990s, the IAEA consolidated Iraq's stockpiles of nuclear materials and other radioactive sources on a single site near Tuwaitha for ease of on-going monitoring. The yellowcake in question was included in this exercise. It was also declared by Iraq as part of their Full, Final and Complete Declaration of nuclear activities and materials submitted to the UN in 1996. All of the materials consolidated at the site were subject to continuous IAEA inspection and verification.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 22 July, Official Report, column 544W, on Iraq, whether the Leader of the Opposition had access to the same primary intelligence as the Prime Minister relating to (a) the September 2002 dossier, (b) the February 2003 dossier and (c) the threat posed to the UK by Iraq from May 1997 to the commencement of military action against Iraq in March 2003.

Jack Straw: The details of briefings given on Privy Council terms are confidential.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the oral answer from the Minister for the armed forces of 7 September 2003, Official Report, column 612, on Iraq, what discussions he has had with the Government of Iraq about the banning of al-Jazeera.

Douglas Alexander: The decision to close the al-Jazeera office in Baghdad was made by the Iraqi Interim Government.
	We have repeatedly made clear to the Iraqi Government the importance we attach to media freedom in Iraq and the need to strengthen the institutions established by the Coalition Provisional Authority to ensure this. We will continue to do so.

North Korea

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

Denis MacShane: We continue to be concerned about North Korea's nuclear programme, and have been monitoring the six-party talks process aimed at resolving the current impasse.
	My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Rammell) is visiting North Korea from 11 to 14 September. North Korea's nuclear programme will be one of the issues which he intends to raise during his visit.

Sudan

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the aid package for the Sudan announced in July has been spent; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: In July, the Chancellor announced that the UK would make available an allocation for Sudan of 150 million for the financial years 200506 to 200708. This is to be disbursed following the conclusion of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
	The signature of six protocols in Naivasha in June represented significant progress towards a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but negotiations are continuing in order to resolve the remaining outstanding issues, pressing the parties to push on with these negotiations. However, we have made it clear to the Sudanese Government that they will not enjoy a peace dividend from the international community unless there is also progress in Darfur.
	The UK is the second largest donor in Darfur. The Department for International Development has allocated 62.5 million for humanitarian assistance between September 2003 and March 2005. Of this total, 36.9 million has been committed to date (to the UN, ICRC and NGOs).
	DFID is also continuing to provide assistance in the rest of the country, this is to meet ongoing humanitarian needs and in support of our goal of helping Sudan to reach a just and lasting peace and to lay foundations for sustained poverty reduction.

Switzerland

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent action he has taken to ensure that Switzerland abides by its bilateral agreements with the EU on migration and employment of UK and other EU nationals; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: A Joint Committee is responsible for the management and proper application of the bilateral agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the Free Movement of Persons, which sets out reciprocal arrangements for migration and employment. To date, the UK has not needed to pursue the issue of Switzerland's compliance.

Venezuela

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Venezuelan Government, (b) the Venezuelan Opposition Parties and (c) the organisers of the petition for a recall referendum on President Chavez regarding this recall referendum; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: None. However, our Embassy in Caracas has a regular dialogue with all sides in Venezuela. I refer my hon. Friend to my press statement, issued on 17 August on the outcome of the recall referendum on 15 August. I called on all sides in Venezuela to respect the result of the referendum, as endorsed by the international observers, and work towards national reconciliation. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases.

Venezuela

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had discussions with President Chavez of Venezuela about the current unrest in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have held any discussions with President Chavez. We have consistently urged all sides in Venezuela to follow the democratic path, work towards a constitutional resolution to the political unrest and strive for national reconciliation. I made this clear in my press statement, issued on 17 August, on the outcome of the recall referendum on 15 August. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases.

Venezuela

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Government will play an independent role in monitoring the recall referendum which is due to take place in Venezuela in August; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We did not participate as observers of the recall referendum on 15 August, either independently or otherwise. We fully support the official observers of the referendum, the Organisation of American States and the Carter Centre. I commended them in my press statement on 17 August on the outcome of the referendum. I called on all sides in Venezuela to respect the result of the referendum, as endorsed by the international observers, and work towards national reconciliation. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Television Licence Fees

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much was raised in television licence fees (a) 10 years ago and (b) in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Estelle Morris: 1.65 billion in television licence fee revenue was raised in 199394 and 2.8 billion in 200304.
	The figure for 200304 includes payments of 408 million by the Department for Work and Pensions to the BBC for free television licences for over-75s.

Broadband Television

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the likely penetration of broadband television via the internet over the next 10 years.

Tessa Jowell: The take-up of broadband in the UK is now rapid with a wide range of suppliers in the marketplace and there are now about 50,000 new broadband subscribers every week. BT is now in a position to ensure that over 99 per cent. of all households could acquire a broadband connection if they so wished.
	However, broadband TV remains in its infancy, and it will be many years before it could be regarded as universally available. Because of broadband TV's current small scale and technological limitations Government has not as yet made a specific assessment of where the market for broadband TV will be in the next 10 years, but of course Ofcom and other experts are routinely monitoring changes in technology and in consumer behaviour.

Domestic Tourism

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on initiatives to promote domestic tourism in summer 2004.

Richard Caborn: Last year Visit Britain launched its domestic marketing strategy to promote tourism in England. Since then Visit Britain has run a number of campaigns including 'City Culture' and 'Waterside England'. Next week sees the launch of the 'Enjoy England' autumn campaign and 'Taste England' campaign. Further campaigns are being planned.

BBC Worldwide

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received concerning the future of BBC Worldwide; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: My hon. Friend has written about this matter. The future of the BBC's commercial services is a key issue for Charter review and we have received a range of representations in that context. The BBC is currently undertaking its own review of its commercial services, which is due for completion during the autumn. I understand that no decisions have so far been taken concerning BBC Worldwide or any other issue covered by the review.

Lottery Receipts

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received regarding the fair distribution of lottery receipts.

Estelle Morris: The Government wants to see all areas of the country benefiting from the huge success of the national lottery.
	We consulted widely on the lottery and our reforms will provide a more transparent and streamlined application process for applicantsso more communities can benefit from the lottery's success.

Sport England Database

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the launch of Sport England's Active Places online database.

Richard Caborn: Active Places is a free to use, comprehensive on-line database of sports facilities in England. It provides details of more than 10,000 facilities, including swimming pools, synthetic pitches, health and fitness centres and ski slopes.
	Active Places was officially launched on 11 July at the BAA Heathrow London Youth Games by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England.
	The Active Places database can be found on www.activeplaces.com

Olympics 2012

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to promote the Olympic bid for 2012.

Tessa Jowell: The Government wholeheartedly supports the bid and has built a strong alliance with the British Olympic Association, the Mayor of London and the bidding company with the aim of delivering the best ever Games in London 2012.
	This was most recently demonstrated in Athens during the Olympic Games where both the Prime Minister and I took part in the London 2012 Bid presentation to the International Olympic Committee.
	The Government will continue to seek opportunities to support and promote the bid as we believe that hosting the Games in 2012 will bring excellent benefits to sport, our young people and to communities throughout the UK.

Olympics 2012

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to involve Cabinet ministers in the promotion of London's Olympic bid; and what plans she has to promote London's Olympic bid nationwide.

Tessa Jowell: The Government wholeheartedly supports the bid and believes that hosting the Games in 2012 will bring excellent benefits to sport, our young people and to communities throughout the UK.
	London 2012 will be making a presentation to the full Cabinet. In addition the Misc 25 Cabinet Committee was set up to consider issues relating to the London 2012 bid.
	I will continue to work with my ministerial colleagues to help to develop and promote a winning UK bid.

Art Galleries

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which planned new art galleries have been guaranteed Arts Council funding; and for how many years the funding has been guaranteed.

Estelle Morris: Arts Council England has awarded over 14 million of lottery capital funds to new visual arts projects since 1 January 1998. Funds are allocated at the beginning of the project and are drawn down over a period of time until the project is completed.
	Details of new awards guaranteed by Arts Council England are set out in the table.
	
		
			  Organisation name  Location Arts Council England region Approved amount () 
		
		
			 Future Factory and Angel Row Nottingham East Midlands 5,000,000 
			 ACME Studios London London 2,000,000 
			 Whitechapel Art Gallery London London 500,000 
			 Waygood Gallery Newcastle North East 750,000 
			 Storey Gallery Lancaster North West 693,600 
			 Newlyn Art Gallery Penzance South West 1,200,000 
			 Sherborne House Sherborne South West 288,860 
			 Centre for Creative Arts Wakefield Yorkshire 4,000,000 
		
	
	Note:
	Table supplied by Arts Council England.

BBC Charter

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions the Government has had with the BBC regarding plans to renew the Charter.

Tessa Jowell: Officials have conducted extensive discussions with the BBC and others since the launch of Charter review, and I have met the Chairman of the BBC Governors twice recently.

CSV Lending Time Project

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the CSV Lending Time project to develop volunteer involvement in the library services of six local authorities;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of how the lessons learned from the CSV Lending Time pilot projects can be transferred to and adopted by other local authorities;
	(3)  whether she has requested reports on the CSV Lending Time pilot schemes from the local authorities involved;
	(4)  what plans she has to ensure long-term support for the CSV Lending Time pilot projects.

Estelle Morris: The Lending Time project was evaluated by Shared Intelligence who published a final report in June 2004. This report outlines lessons learned from the project and provides a series of key recommendations to develop volunteer involvement with public libraries. All of the pilot projects had an opportunity to contribute to the evaluation so separate reports from each local authority were not requested. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) will use the lessons learned from this project in the development of a new work programme to establish how libraries can most effectively support civic renewal and engage with communities in shaping and delivering services that meet local needs. Community Service Volunteers who led the Lending Time project will appoint someone to a post, funded by MLA through Framework for the Future, the Government's strategy to improve public libraries, to take this work forward until March 2006.
	The aim of the project was to explore the ways in which volunteering could be involved in libraries' work in a long-term and sustainable manner to enhance the service using existing financial resources. The pilots have now been completed and there is no further central funding for them. It is for the local authorities involved in the project to decide whether or not to continue funding.

European Culture/Languages

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Department is spending in 200405 on promoting knowledge of other European cultures and languages in the entertainment sector.

Estelle Morris: My Department does not monitor spending in the way this question suggests. However, one example we do know of where Lottery money has been used to promote knowledge of European cultures and languages is the UK Film Council. A total of 2,109,102 has been spent in 2004/05 in the following ways:
	
		UK Film Council Funding 20045
		
			SchemeDetail Amount Invested 20045  million 
		
		
			 Print and Advertising Fund Support distribution of Specialised films, including European and Foreign Language films 1,000,000 
			 Co-Production Lila dit sa (France) -produced last year but paid within period, and for release within period 400,000 
			 Co-Production Innocense (France) produced last year but paid within period, and for release within period 397,330 
			 Co-Production Only Human (Spain) 298,772 
			 Co-Production Tournament Pilot forum between UK and Scandinavia to promote good practise and understanding of national film culture and talent. A huge success, so more planned. 13,000 
			 Total:  2,109,102

Freeview

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which areas of the South-West Bedfordshire constituency are unable to receive Freeview; and when she expects all areas in the constituency to be able to receive this service.

Estelle Morris: Ofcom do not hold data on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) coverage in individual constituencies. However, according to Ofcom, Freeview coverage in South-West Bedfordshire is patchy, with coverage from both the Oxford and Sandy Heath Transmitters.
	At present around 73 per cent. of UK households can access DTT services, but the Government are committed to ensuring that at Switchover everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form (BBC 1 and 2, ITV, Channel 4/S4C and Channel 5) can receive them on digital systems.
	Much progress has been made in the discussions between the Government, Ofcom and the Public Service Broadcasters and while the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, someincluding the BBChave suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of Switchover.

Historic Buildings

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met the English Heritage Directors to discuss policy on historic buildings being included in the registered list; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and other Ministers have regular meetings with the English Heritage Chairman and Chief Executive, most recently on 22 June 2004. Among other things they discussed the Review of Heritage Protection including the new Register of Historic Sites and Buildings in England.

Licensing Arrangements

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what access (a) local and (b) national temperance societies will have to discussions on licensing when the new licensing arrangements come into operation.

Richard Caborn: Members of local and national temperance societies have the same rights as any other citizen. The Licensing Act 2003 provides that interested parties, including persons living or involved in a business in the vicinity of a premises or bodies representing them, may make representations about applications for provisional statements and about the grant or variation of premises licences or club premises certificates, except where a simple conversion of an existing licence or certificate is made under the grandfather rights provisions in Schedule 8 of the Act. Interested parties may also apply for the review of a licence or certificate at any time as well as make representations about a review once it has been applied for. Representations must be about the effects of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Members of local and national temperance societies will be able to make representations if they are interested parties under the terms of the Act.

Regional Broadcasting

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance she gives to Ofcom relating to regional programming by broadcasting companies.

Estelle Morris: None. The Communications Act 2003 set out clear responsibilities for OFCOM to secure regional programming by broadcasting companies. Ofcom is currently reviewing public service television broadcasting and regional broadcasting forms an integral part of that review.

Supporters Direct

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public funding has been received by Supporters Direct in each financial year since 200001.

Richard Caborn: Supporters Direct has received the following funding:
	
		
		
			 Financial year England and Wales Scotland 
		
		
			 200001 250,000  
			 200102 250,000  
			 200203 294,000 75,000 
			 200304 325,000 75,000 
			 200405 (20)325,000 (20)90,000 
		
	
	(20) TBC

Supporters Direct

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms are in place to ensure the allocation of public funds to supporter's trusts by Supporters Direct is transparent, equitable and objective.

Richard Caborn: There are strong mechanisms in place to safeguard the allocation of funding to supporters trusts by Supporters Direct.
	Supporters Direct are regulated by the Financial Services Authority and they evaluate the eligibility of all groups applying for funding according to clear criteria, laid down and enforced by the Supporters Direct Board. Details can be found on the Supporters Direct website at www.supporters-direct.org.
	All grants to Supporters Direct are capped at a maximum reimbursement of 50 per cent. up to a value of 1,000. This is a one-off payment. All expenditure is documented by receipts. All grants are reported to the Board of Supporters Direct and grants are only made to existing supporters trusts.
	Supporters Direct are currently audited by Limehouse and Co.

Supporters Direct

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procedures are in place to prevent Supporters Direct's allocation of public funds being influenced by the club interests of current members.

Richard Caborn: Supporters Direct is an Industrial and Provident Society and has rules approved by and registered at the Financial Services Authority. Those rules were drafted by the official lawyers to the Co-operative Movement.
	Its members are the existing supporters' trusts. Membership of Supporters Direct is subject to the provisions in its rules and the policy on membership agreed by the Board of Supporters Direct. The funding it receives from Sport England and Sport Scotland respectively is related to agreed business plans, and is managed according to policy laid down by the Board of Supporters Direct, which is elected by the members.
	As a body in receipt of public funding, the Board have a clear conflict of interest policy, and a register of board members' interests is maintained. Members with an interest in a particular issue do not debate or vote on the issue, and staff with an interest do not undertake to work on it.

Television Licences (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many old age pensioners in the Tamworth constituency have benefited from the introduction of free television licences.

Estelle Morris: TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide breakdowns by parliamentary constituency of the number of free licences issued. However, 2001 Census data for Parliamentary constituencies identifies that there are approximately 3,650 people aged 75 or over living in the Tamworth constituency.

Television Reception

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to seek solutions for those people in the Stroud constituency who can neither receive a digital signal nor access satellite because of signal problems.

Estelle Morris: Ofcom do not hold data on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) or digital satellite coverage in individual constituencies.
	Total core analogue TV coverage for the four main public service channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4) stands at 98.5 per cent. of UK households. In addition, according to Ofcom figures, digital satellite is available to between 96 per cent. and 98 per cent. of UK households.
	The Government is committed to ensuring that at Switchover, everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form (BBC 1 and 2, ITV, Channel 4/S4C and Channel 5) can receive them on digital systems.
	Much progress has been made in the discussions between the Government, Ofcom and the Public Service Broadcasters. While the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, someincluding the BBChave suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of Switchover.

Television Reception

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made on the roll-out of digital television to those areas which have yet to receive it.

Estelle Morris: The Government is committed to ensuring that, at switchover, everyone who can currently receive the public service channels can receive them in digital form, and that digital television is available throughout the country.
	Digital satellite signals can already reach the vast majority of UK homes. Around 73 per cent. of the population can receive digital terrestrial television, but it is not possible to increase reception before switchover, as signals currently have to be transmitted at low power to prevent interference with analogue signals.
	Much progress has been made in the discussions between the Government, Ofcom, and the public service broadcasters. While the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, someincluding the BBChave suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of switchover.

HEALTH

Government Information (Access)

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has made to the comments made by the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding delays by his Department in responding to complaints under the code of practice on access to Government information made in her review of departmental performance against requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding published on 30 June; what action he is taking to end the delays; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Government takes any delays in responding to complaints under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information seriously.
	The Government regrets that delays do unavoidably occur in a small minority of complex cases. However, the Ombudsman's review of the first nine months of the Memorandum of Understanding (September 2003May 2004) shows that in most cases the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding were met.
	In all cases, Departments endeavour to ensure that the time limit of three weeks for departments to respond to a statement of complaint from the Ombudsman is met. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, the Department aims to enter into dialogue with the investigating officer should there be any difficulty in replying by the date set by the Ombudsman.

Ashworth Hospital

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget for Ashworth Hospital has been for each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not available for the last five years. The budget for the Ashworth Special Hospital Authority is only available from 19992000 to 200102 and is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Amount () 
		
		
			 19992000 51,435,000 
			 200001 61,169,000 
			 200102 63,731,000 
		
	
	Note:
	The Ashworth Special Hospital Authority was dissolved in 31 March 2002, with the majority of its services moving to the Mersey Care National Health Service Trust. The information requested is not collected centrally at individual hospital level.
	Source:
	Summarised accounts of Ashworth Special Hospital Authority 19992000 to 200102.

Autism

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to (a) improving awareness and education and (b) research regarding autistic spectrum disorders in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: Through grants to the National Autistic Society, the Department has funded a range of projects to increase awareness and understanding of autism. The funding since 1999 is shown in the table. An additional 156,000 grant, over three years, was announced in May 2004.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 19992000 40,000 
			 200001 40,000 
			 200102 86,000 
			 200203 97,000 
			 200304 100,000 
			 200405 56,000 
		
	
	The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology, part of the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC spend on autism since 1998 is shown in the table.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199899 1.04 
			 19992000 1.11 
			 200001 1.18 
			 200102 1.26 
			 200203 1.30 
		
	
	In addition the Department allocated a further 2.5 million to the MRC in 200102, earmarked specifically for autism research. The Scottish Executive has given the MRC a further 250,000.

Breast Cancer

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage women aged 25 to 35 years to undertake breast self-examination.

Melanie Johnson: 80 per cent. of breast cancers occur in women aged over 50, with less than 2 per cent. occurring in women aged under 35. The Department supports breast awareness, rather than ritualistic monthly self-examination, for which there is little evidence. It is important for all women of any age to be breast aware, and report any changes to their doctor. The Department, together with Cancer Research UK, produces a leaflet entitled Be Breast Aware, which is widely available from primary care surgeries and breast screening units. Around 1.5 million copies of this leaflet are produced each year.

Cancer (NICE Guidelines)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the implementation of the revised National Institute for Clinical Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer will be enforced and monitored; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/062007/08 was published on 21 July 2004. This document sets out the new healthcare standards which every English national health service body must take into account and which the Healthcare Commission will take into account in developing their criteria for their reviews of English NHS bodies. Guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reflected in these standards in two ways.
	Recommendations in technology appraisal guidance are included in a core standard for the NHSall NHS bodies should ensure that they conform to NICE technology appraisals and, where it is available, take into account nationally agreed guidance when planning and delivering treatment and care.
	Clinical guidelines form part of the developmental standardsstandards which the NHS is expected to achieve over time. The standard requires patients to receive effective treatment and care that conform to nationally agreed best practice, particularly as defined in . . . NICE guidance.
	The referral guidelines for suspected cancer are currently subject to consultation and do not constitute NICE's formal guidance. The first consultation period ends on 11 August 2004, with the final guidelines expected to be published in March 2005.

Cancer (NICE Guidelines)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he expects the revised National Institute for Clinical Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer to have in improving the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions in primary care.

Melanie Johnson: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently consulting on the first draft of the revised referral guidelines for suspected cancer.
	As the guideline recommendations presented are provisional and do not constitute NICE'S formal guidance, it would not be appropriate to comment in detail at this stage. The guidelines, once published, will assist primary healthcare professionals in determining those patients with suspected skin cancer who need to be referred urgently to see a specialist within two weeks, those patients who can be referred for a routine appointment and those who can be safely watched and, where appropriate, treated at a primary care level.
	The revised guidelines are expected to be published in March 2005.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contractual arrangements are in place between the NHS and suppliers of products involved in cervical cancer screening procedures, including notice periods for the termination of such contracts.

Rosie Winterton: There is no national contract for the national health service relating to products used during the current process of preparing cervical samples. However, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has just awarded a contract for liquid based cytology, which, over the remaining four years of a national roll out, will replace conventional cytology products.
	Additionally, there is a national framework for gynaecological sundries, which include consumables, which are used in cervical screening such as speculum and a cervical smear. This contract runs until September 2005 and the process of renewal will be starting shortly.
	Other surgical instruments are used during the taking of cervical samples. These products will remain in use following conversion and there is currently a national framework agreement in place for the purchase of reusable surgical instruments. This agreement started on 11 February 2002 and will continue until 10 February 2005, at which time a replacement agreement will commence.

Chiropody and Podiatry

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 6 July 2004, Official Report, column 617W, on podiatry, what the whole time equivalent is of the number of chiropodists and podiatrists employed by the NHS in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Qualified chiropodists and podiatrists employed in the national health service in England as at 30 September each year
		
			  Whole-time equivalents 
		
		
			 1997 2,730 
			 1998 2,750 
			 1999 2,770 
			 2000 2,847 
			 2001 2,894 
			 2002 2,916 
			 2003 3,027 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census.
	Between 1997 and 2003, the number of whole-time equivalents chiropodists and podiatrists employed in the NHS increased by 297, or 11 per cent.

Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will break down the costs of the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters by main budget heading;
	(2)  whether the Final Report of the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters was unanimous; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  on what dates the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters has met;
	(4)  what steps he is taking to appoint a successor chairman of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment;
	(5)  what changes he plans to the terms of reference of the chairman of the (a) Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment and (b) Small Area Health Statistics Unit.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has not yet received the final version of the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters (CERRIE) report. We understand it is expected to be published in October this year. It would not be appropriate to comment at this time.
	The CERRIE secretariat has informed me that the Committee held 16 meetings on the following dates4 December 2001; 7 February 2002; 20 March 2002; 6 June 2002; 8 August 2002; 1 October 2002; 11 December 2002; 27 February 2003; 30 April 2003; 26 June 2003; 22 October 2003; 16 December 2003; 24 February 2004; 31 March 2004; 19 May 2004; and 24 June 2004. The Committee also convened a workshop on 21, 22 and 23 July 2003, which all members attended.
	The position of chairman to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) was advertised. Any appointment will be made in strict adherence to the published guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
	I have no plans to change the terms of reference of either COMARE or the small area health statistic unit.
	The committee is expected to conclude its work in October 2004. The total cost of this work will be approximately 445,000. This includes the costs of the secretariat, meeting expenses, including a three day workshop and Committee members' travel and subsistence.

Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters has commissioned written transcriptions of the audio-recorded proceedings of its meetings;
	(2)  what access members of the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters have had to written transcriptions of the audio-recorded proceedings of the Committee's meetings;
	(3)  for what reasons the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters cancelled its planned study of cancer incidence in north Essex.

Melanie Johnson: These are matters that should be addressed in writing to the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters.

Correspondence

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter dated 20 July, from the hon. Member for North Shropshire, regarding the ESBL outbreak at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury hospital.

Stephen Ladyman: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 9 September 2004.

Deaf Patients (Missed Appointments)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to the NHS of missed appointments of deaf or hard of hearing patients was in the latest year for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the costs of missed appointments in audiology is not collected centrally.
	Modernising hearing aid services has improved the quality of life of those people who have received digital hearing aids. It has modernised services to make sure that deaf people receive the most advanced hearing aids available, rather than rely on outdated technology from the 1970s.

Designated Accommodation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rooms are set aside for (a) the use of smokers, (b) worship, broken down by religion and (c) nursing mothers and pregnant women in each building and set of offices for which his Department is responsible.

Rosie Winterton: The Department operates a no-smoking policy within its buildings. There are therefore no smoking rooms in the Department's headquarters buildings.
	On the Departmental estate, there are six rooms specifically set aside for worship and are available for use by members of any religion. In other buildings, meeting rooms can be reserved for this purpose.
	The Department has no rooms specifically set aside for nursing mothers or pregnant women.

Drug Prescriptions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances there have been in the last three years of drugs being prescribed on the NHS for non-medical purposes.

Rosie Winterton: No information is available on the reasons why a medical practitioner prescribes a particular drug.

Health Public Bodies

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the savings from the Departmental Review of Arm's Length bodies will be spent.

Rosie Winterton: Decisions on the allocation of health and social care resources in future years will be taken as part of the normal budget allocation process in the light of the 2004 spending review settlement.

Home Deliveries

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS will provide (a) a midwife and (b) medical attendance at a home birth.

Stephen Ladyman: We expect the national health service to provide a range of maternity services that includes the provision of home births. It is however for local decision makers to decide if a home birth service can be delivered safely and, if they do so decide, then the service might be withdrawn by a NHS trust on a temporary basis if a short term staff shortage means that such a service cannot be delivered safely or would jeopardise patient safety elsewhere in the trust.
	If a NHS trust provides a home birth service, it should ensure that suitably skilled midwives are available to attend the woman and to provide care and support throughout the labour and birth. Appropriate transfer arrangements should also be in place in case the woman or baby needs specialist medical care.

MRSA

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidences of (a) hospital-acquired infection and (b) methicillin resistent staphylococcus aureus at Derriford hospital, Plymouth have been notified to his Department in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of hospital acquired infections for individual trusts is not collected centrally. The Department introduced mandatory reporting of methicillin resistent staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemias (blood stream infections) for national health service acute trusts from 1 April 2001. The number of MRSA reports for the three years for which figures are available is shown in the table.
	
		Plymouth hospitals NHS trust
		
			  Number of MRSA bacteraemia reports 
		
		
			 200102 99 
			 200203 81 
			 200304 98

MRSA

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which hospitals stock antibiotics against strains of MRSA; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  which antibiotics are effective against strains of MRSA; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The use of the description methicillin resistant in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) implies resistance to all penicillin and cephalosporin type antibiotics (beta lactam group of antibiotics). Resistance to other classes of antibiotics is extremely variable.
	Most MRSA that occur in the United Kingdom are still sensitive to and may be treated with vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, or quinupristin/dalfopristin. They may also be sensitive to rifampicin, fluoroquinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin), chloramphenicol and variably to other antibiotics including tetracyclines macrolides (such as erythromycin) and aminoglycosides (such as gentamicin). Trusts have stocks of these antibiotics. Decisions on the antibiotic(s) appropriate for the treatment of any one patient must, therefore, depend on microbiological laboratory testing of the individual strain of bacterium isolated.
	MRSA resistant to all available antibiotics have not as yet been isolated in the United Kingdom.

Private Sector Capital Grants

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) budget and (b) spending outcome on private sector capital grants was in each of the last 10 years in (i) England, (ii) Somerset and (iii) Dorset.

John Hutton: Information on capital grants solely to the private sector is not available centrally.

Vulnerable Adults

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what problems have been identified with implementing the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list in healthcare settings.

Stephen Ladyman: Unless changes are made to the Care Standards Act 2000, a protection of vulnerable adults check would be required each time a junior doctor or healthcare trainee moved to a new training post. In view of the numbers involved, this would cause difficulties for the national health service and potentially jeopardise the supply of trained staff to the NHS workforce.

Vulnerable Adults

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to cross refer between the Protection of Children Act list and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list.

Stephen Ladyman: Section 92 of the Care Standards Act 2000 allows the Secretary of State for Health to consider any referral to the Protection of Children Act list for possible inclusion on the protection of vulnerable adults list. This would be in circumstances where it appears that the nature of the misconduct against a child is such that the individual would also be unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults.

Waiting Lists

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting for an operation in an NHS hospital in the London borough of Havering in (a) July 1997 and (b) July 2004; and what the figures are for all other London boroughs.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected by borough. However, the table shows the number of people waiting by strategic health authority (SHA) area.
	
		In-patient waiting list in June 199798 and 200405
		
			 SHA code Name 199798 200405 
		
		
			 Q04 North West London 44,199 27,516 
			 Q05 North Central London 43,523 30,483 
			 Q06 North East London 41,538 26,913 
			 Q07 South East London 41,632 27,088 
			 Q08 South West London 31,892 20,523 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH07.

Waiting Lists

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the changes have been to waiting lists at Warrington hospital in each of the last seven years for which information is available.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Outpatient commissioner waiting list information for the primary care trusts (PCT) and health authority (HA) covering the Warrington area all specialties
		
			General practitioner written referrals not yet seen, who have been waiting (weeks) 
			 Quarter ending March  Code  Name  13 to 26  26 plus 
		
		
			 1998 QCV North Cheshire HA 1,176 217 
			 1999 QCV North Cheshire HA 1,871 339 
			 2000 QCV North Cheshire HA 1,267 538 
			 2001 QCV North Cheshire HA 789 379 
			 2002 QCV North Cheshire HA 592 19 
		
	
	
		
			General practitioner written referrals not yet seen, who have been waiting (weeks) 
			 Quarter ending March  Code  Name 13 to 17 17 to 21 21 to 26 26 plus 
		
		
			 2003 5J2 Warrington PCT 232 91 0 0 
			 2004 5J2 Warrington PCT 80 0 0 0 
		
	
	Note:
	Data for North Cheshire HA and Warrington PCT is not directly comparable. PCTs only came into existence in April 2002.
	Source:
	Department of Health QM08R.
	
		Inpatient commissioner waiting list information for the primary care trust (PCT) and health authority (HA)covering the Warrington area
		
			   Patients waiting for admission by month waiting 
			 Month ending March Year Quarter Name Specialty name Total waiting 02 35 68 911 
		
		
			 Health authority 
			 1997 199697 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 8,923 4,858 2,082 1,109 798 
			 1998 199798 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 10,484 4,889 2,371 1,447 1,140 
			 1999 199899 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 9,426 4,281 2,119 1,377 993 
			 2000 19992000 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 8,602 3,574 1,857 1,383 936 
			 2001 200001 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 8,911 3,907 1,928 1,395 902 
			 2002 200102 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 8,546 3,831 1,991 1,366 965 
			   
			 Primary care trust 
			 2003 200203 4 Warrington PCT All specialties 4,803 2,098 1,348 902 455 
			 2004 200304 4 Warrington PCT All specialties 4,221 2,509 1,277 435 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Patients waiting for admission by month waiting 
			 Month ending March Year Quarter Name Specialty name 1214 1517 1820 2123 
		
		
			 Health authority 
			 1997 199697 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 75 0 0 1 
			 1998 199798 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 484 153 0 0 
			 1999 199899 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 512 144 0 0 
			 2000 19992000 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 639 213 0 0 
			 2001 200001 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 573 206 0 0 
			 2002 200102 4 North Cheshire HA All specialties 393 0 0 0 
			  
			 Primary care trust 
			 2003 200203 4 Warrington PCT All specialties 0 0 0 0 
			 2004 200304 4 Warrington PCT All specialties 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	Note:
	PCT's were not formed until April 2002
	Source:
	Department of Health QF01

NORTHERN IRELAND

Acute Hospitals

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the population level required to maintain an acute hospital in the Province as viable.

Angela Smith: Developing Better Services concluded that a minimum population of between 100,000 and 150,000 is needed to provide the volume of patients necessary to sustain a modern acute hospital and to support advances in treatment, medical technology and specialist skills.
	The establishment of managed clinical networks is essential to the delivery of safe, effective and sustainable services at smaller acute hospitals. A number of networks are already in place in Northern Ireland; there are plans for existing networks to be further developed and others introduced as part of the implementation of Developing Better Services.

Autism

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there are specific targets regarding early diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders in the Province.

Angela Smith: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Priorities for Action 200405 includes the following action:
	By 31 March 2005, Boards and Trusts should establish multidisciplinary diagnostic, assessment and early intervention teams to provide for improved life outcomes for around 200 children and young people with autism per year.
	This target is in addition to the numbers of children already being referred for diagnosis where an autistic spectrum disorder is suspected.

Autism

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been allocated to improving awareness and education about autistic spectrum disorders in the Province in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The funding allocated by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), health and social services boards and trusts and the Department of Education (DE) for improving awareness and education about autistic spectrum disorders for healthcare staff, education staff and parents is outlined in the following table:
	
		
		
			  DHSSPS HSS boards and trusts DE Total 
		
		
			 19992000 24,800 24,600  49,400 
			 200001 25,400 30,800  56,200 
			 200102 26,000 62,800  88,800 
			 200203 50,000 141,700 49,000 240,700 
			 200304 50,000 251,300 842,000 1,143,300

Care Homes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on insurance costs for independent care homes.

Angela Smith: The cost of insurance for independent care homes is a business matter between home owners and their insurers.

Civic Forum

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) set-up costs and (b) most recent annual running costs were of the civic forum.

Paul Murphy: Set-up costs for the civic forum were approximately 75,000. The running costs of the civic forum for the financial year 200203 were 328,000.

Clinical Negligence

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was awarded in (a) legal costs and (b) damages for clinical negligence cases in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information in respect of the cost of clinical negligence cases in Northern Ireland in relation to each of the previous six years is as follows.
	
		Amounts paid in settlements for clinical negligence claims from 199899 to 200304
		
			  000 
		
		
			 199899 12,286 
			 19992000 4,859 
			 200001 9,409 
			 200102 7,415 
			 200203 13,550 
			 200304 15,194 
		
	
	The information relating to the previous four years is not readily available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the split of the above figures between damages and legal costs is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Cocaine

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has collected on the extent of cocaine use in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: In 2003, there were 25 registered cocaine addicts on the Drug Addicts Register while the Drug Misuse Database shows that in 200203, 68 persons presented for treatment citing cocaine as their main drug of misuse. In the All Ireland Drug Prevalence Survey 200203 1.6 per cent. of 1564 year olds reported that they had ever used cocaine.
	There is growing anecdotal evidence of an increase in the use of cocaine in the club and pub setting among young adults. In light of these reports the Government have set up a small group to consider more closely the level of cocaine use in Northern Ireland with a view to informing future policy and strategy development in terms of prevention and treatment.

Counterfeit Goods Seizures

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on counterfeit goods seized in the Province in the last year.

Ian Pearson: The Police Service of Northern Ireland have had significant success in disrupting and frustrating criminals networks involved in intellectual property crime and in 200304 seized 7.6 million of counterfeit goods. Enforcement work is continuing, and under the umbrella of the Organised Crime Task Force the PSNI is working in partnership with industry and brand holders to identify illicit products, improve understanding of the scope of trademark and copyright law, and raise public awareness of the risks associated with the purchase of counterfeit goods.

Crime (Elderly People)

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the mortality rate of elderly people who have been the victims of crime was in the last five years for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: The medical cause of death certificate contains no specific information as to whether the person had previously been the victim of a crime. Information can be provided only on cases where the cause of death is assault. The following table provides figures on the number of people of pensionable age (aged 60 or over for females, 65 or over for males) who died as a result of assault 1 over the period 1999 to 2003.
	1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X85-Y09 and Y87.1 (200103) and the Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E960-E969 (19992000).
	
		Number of deaths resulting from assault of people of pensionable age registered in Northern Ireland, 19992003
		
			  Deaths 
		
		
			 1999 1 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 0 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 (data for 2003 are provisional) 2

Dementia

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the annual cost of providing nursing and personal care for dementia sufferers in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available centrally.

Disability Benefits

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rationale underlies the differing periods of time which must elapse from the commencement of an illness before a claim can be made for (a) attendance allowance and (b) disability living allowance; and if he will review the rationale.

John Spellar: The qualifying periods for attendance allowance and disability living allowance help ensure that they are not paid to people with short term, transient disabilities. The differences in the qualifying periods for the two benefits reflect the differing characteristics of the people they are designed to help. Disability living allowance focuses help with the extra costs of disability on people who have the very considerable disadvantage of being severely disabled early, or relatively early, in life. Hence, it has a shorter qualifying period than attendance allowance which provides help with the disability-related extra costs of people who do not experience the onset of severe disability until later in life when they are aged 65 or over. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

Disability Benefits

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to review the legislation that places an age restriction on eligibility for disability living allowance.

John Spellar: There are no plans to review the legislation in relation to the age bands for either the care or mobility components of disability living allowance.

Disability Benefits

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will lower the rate of the care component for attendance allowance in order to provide elderly claimants with assistance towards their care costs.

John Spellar: Attendance allowance is paid at two rates. The higher rate is for people who need help with personal care and/or supervision or watching over to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others by day and at night. The lower rate is for people who have those needs either during the day or at night. As at May 2004, attendance allowance was providing help towards the disability-related extra costs of over 65,000 people aged 65 or over in Northern Ireland. We believe that the allowance is properly directed towards the needs of older disabled people and there are no plans to introduce a third rate.

Doctors' Working Hours

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of (a) junior house officers, (b) senior house officers and (c) specialist registrars are compliant with the European Working Time Directive at each health trust in the Province.

Angela Smith: The information detailed in the table below was obtained from each of the HPSS Trusts during May and June of this year as an assessment of how the junior doctors they employ would measure in terms of compliance against the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) requirements as to be introduced at 1 August 2004.
	
		Percentage
		
			 Trust Junior House Office Compliance Senior House Officer Compliance Specialist Registrar Compliance 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Hospital Trust 100 63 26 
			 Armagh and Dungannon Trust n/a 100 n/a 
			 Belfast City Hospital 67 57 82 
			 Causeway Hospital 100 100 33 
			 Trust
			 Craigavon Area 100 69 74 
			 Hospital Trust
			 Craigavon and n/a 100 n/a 
			 Banbridge
			 Community Trust
			 Down Lisburn Trust 10 100 100 
			 Foyle Trust n/a 100 n/a 
			 Greenpark Hospital Trust n/a 50 25 
			 Homefirst n/a 100 100 
			 Community Trust
			 Mater Hospital Trust 100 78 45 
			 Newry and Mourne Trust 100 41 25 
			 North and West Belfast Trust n/a 100 100 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals 60 36 45 
			 South and East Belfast Trust n/a 100 100 
			 Sperrin Lakeland Trust 100 77 67 
			 Ulster Community 54 57 37 
			 Hospital Trust
			 United Hospitals Trust 11 37 31 
		
	
	Note: n/a = not available
	Based on this information, the overall HPSS compliance position was that, approximately 60 per cent. of the total junior doctor workforce was expected to meet the August 2004 EWTD requirements.
	However the situation has moved on since this information was gathered, in that a further 75 new junior doctor positions have been created within the HPSS, and that the addition of these new posts are expected to bring the overall compliance figure up to nearer 70 per cent.
	The Department is currently engaged in gathering more up to date information from all HSS organisations in relation to the junior doctors EWTD compliance position, and will be analysing the information gathered with a view to making a more definitive assessment of the overall current HPSS compliance position.
	We continue to work closely with all HSS organisations to ensure the objective of achieving full EWTD compliance for all junior doctors is achieved as soon as possible, while ensuring services to patients are not adversely affected.

Drug Overdose Mortality

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) intentional and (b) accidental deaths there were from drug overdoses in each health board area in each of the last five years.

Ian Pearson: The following table gives the number of drug-related deaths registered by Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland for each year between 1999 and 2003.
	
		Number of drug-related deaths by registration year and Health and Social Services Board area in Northern Ireland
		
			   Cause of death 
			 Health and Social Services Board Registration year Intentional self-poisoning by drugs(21) Accidental poisoning by drugs(22) Undetermined and other poisoning by drugs(23) 
		
		
			 Eastern 1999 9 11 6 
			  2000 19 7 5 
			  2001 15 5 2 
			  2002 21 8 6 
			  (24)2003 6 11 2 
			 Northern 1999 3 7 1 
			  2000 7 3 2 
			  2001 2 4 2 
			  2002 8 1 5 
			  (24)2003 6 8 3 
			 Southern 1999 1 1 3 
			  2000 2 1 2 
			  2001 1 0 2 
			  2002 1 3 3 
			  (24)2003 3 1 3 
			 Western 1999 4 1 3 
			  2000 1 1 3 
			  2001 2 0 0 
			  2002 2 7 3 
			  (24)2003 2 6 1 
		
	
	(21) Intentional self-poisoning by drugs: This comprises intentional death due to prescription drugs, illegal drugs and/or where a combination of alcohol and drugs was involved. It does not include intentional alcohol self-poisoning alone.
	(22) Accidental poisoning by drugs: This comprises accidental death due to prescription drugs, illegal drugs and/or where a combination of alcohol and drugs was involved. It does not include accidental alcohol poisoning alone.
	(23) Undetermined and other poisoning by drugs: This comprises death of undetermined intent due to prescription drugs, illegal drugs and/or deaths where a combination of alcohol and drugs were involved, but not intentional or accidental alcohol poisoning alone. This category also includes death due to mental and behavioural disorders related to drug (prescription and/or illegal drugs) use, excluding alcohol and tobacco.
	(24) Data for 2003 are provisional.

Ear, Nose and Throat Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on long-term plans for otorhinolaryngology services at Tyrone County Hospital;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on otorhinolaryngology services in Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Angela Smith: The Otorhinolaryngology Service provided by Sperrin Lakeland Trust includes ENT services and is currently based at Tyrone County Hospital. Inpatient and day case services are delivered from the Tyrone County Hospital; outpatient services are delivered from both the Erne and Tyrone County Hospitals. The service also provides cover to Cavan and Monaghan Hospitals.
	The Western Area Programme Board for the implementation of Developing Better Services has established a multidisciplinary Working Group to determine the future service outline for the provision of otorhinolaryngology services across the Western Board area including Tyrone County Hospital. The Group is expected to report in October 2004.

Endoscope Decontamination Review

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the independent external review into endoscope decontamination will report.

Angela Smith: The independent review of endoscopes is due to report at the end of November 2004.

Farm Payments

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments due to farmers in Northern Ireland by 30 June have not yet been paid, broken down by category of farm payment; and what the total value of such outstanding claims for payment is.

Ian Pearson: In Northern Ireland the number and potential value, if paid in full, of farm subsidy claims due to have been paid by 30 June 2004 but which had not been paid by 8 September 2004, are broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Applications unpaid Value ( million) 
		
		
			 Beef Special Premium 4,071 1.6 
			 Slaughter Premium 1,849 0.8 
			 Suckler Cow Premium 539 1.4 
			 Extensification Payment 2,074 4.2

Farm Payments

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his target date is for paying to farmers in Northern Ireland all payments due to them by 30 June.

Ian Pearson: To date 94.9 per cent. of potential total expenditure has been paid. It is expected that the European Commission's regulatory requirement for 96.14 per cent. of total scheme expenditure to be paid by 30 June 2004 will be achieved by 30 September 2004.

Fertility Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to prioritise on sub-fertility waiting lists females who are approaching the cut-off point for age-related treatment options.

Angela Smith: There are no plans at present to prioritise on sub-fertility waiting lists females who are approaching the cut off point for age-related treatment options. A consultation and equality impact assessment on the future provision of sub-fertility services in Northern Ireland have now been undertaken and I hope to be able to announce my proposals in this regard in the very near future.

Fertility Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many couples are awaiting (a) initial outpatient assessment and (b) treatment for sub-fertility in the Province.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Fertility Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest figure is for the average waiting time from GP referral to consultant assessment for sub-fertility treatments in the Province.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Fertility Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bring the criteria for NHS-funded sub-fertility treatments in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Angela Smith: Publicly funded IVF treatment has been available in Northern Ireland since the establishment of the interim fertility service in December 2001. Access to the interim service is regulated by criteria recommended in the advisory report submitted in February 2001 by the Regional Medical Services Consortium.
	To inform decisions on the longer term provision of fertility services in Northern Ireland, including the access criteria which may be applied, I issued the document, From People to Parents for public consultation in October 2003. The consultation process has now closed and I hope to be in a position to announce my proposals for the future development of fertility services in Northern Ireland in the very near future. In making my decision I will of course wish to take account of criteria for NHS funded fertility treatment used in GB.

Flooding

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on floods in the Province in August.

John Spellar: During the latter part of August 2004, several areas in Northern Ireland were affected by severe localised rainfall conditions that proved to be beyond the capacity of local drainage systems. The Londonderry area was particularly affected. Localised flooding also occurred at a number of locations in Greater Belfast, North Down, East Down and East Antrim, which resulted in some road closures for short periods of time.
	Staff from Rivers Agency, Water Service and Roads Service along with other responders worked to minimise damage to property and disruption to the community. During each of the flood events an inter-agency flood team was formed, comprising representatives from Rivers Agency, Water Service and Roads Service to co-ordinate the response. The team, along with other agencies13 in total in the Londonderry incidentworked together to provide assistance and advice to those affected.
	In the Londonderry incident, Water Service, Roads Service and Rivers Agency deployed some 75 staff, working late into the evening and next morning, to minimise damage to property and aid recovery. I would like to pay tribute to the efforts of those staff and the staff of other agencies. The Central Claims Unit had its loss adjusters on the ground on 18 August. Notwithstanding these efforts, a number of householders and businesses suffered significant flood-related damage. Derry city council organised a help shop, to provide advice and information, on 20 August, and all the relevant statutory agencies participated in this event. My ministerial colleague, lan Pearson, visited Londonderry on 18 August to survey the damage and to ensure that remedial measures were in train.
	The circumstances of the flooding incidents are being fully investigated to identify any opportunities to reduce the risk of further events and improve the standard of the inter-agency response. As with all such incidents, it is essential that any lessons are learned and applied.
	Water Service is implementing a programme of flood relief schemes at 50 locations at risk of flooding. 6 million has been invested on such schemes in the last four years and a further 5 million will be invested over the next three years. Moreover work on the 100 million Belfast sewer project is already underway and a further 59 million will be invested in upgrading the sewerage network across the region in the three year period to 2006. Major upgrades of the sewerage system planned will also help to reduce flooding risks. In addition, Rivers Agency has an ongoing works programme to protect property from flooding from watercourses and the sea, amounting to approximately 7 million per annum.
	However, it must be recognised that, although modern drainage standards will provide better protection, it is impossible to guarantee that flooding will not occur, when unusually severe weather conditions are experienced.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assistance is available to locum general practitioners on (a) sick leave and (b) maternity leave.

Angela Smith: A locum general practitioner who is on sick leave or maternity leave is entitled to the same range of social security benefits as any self employed person who pays class 2 national insurance contributions. This includes incapacity benefit and maternity benefit.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the (a) number of missed general practitioner appointments and (b) resultant costs in the Province in the latest year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: This information is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) contacts to and (b) domiciliary visits from each general practice out-of-hours service there were in the Province in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Hospital Hygiene

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to improve hygiene in local hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: All health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland have a duty to ensure that high standards of hygiene in hospitals are being met and maintained. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is placing a renewed emphasis on clean hospitals with the planned establishment of standards for cleanliness against which performance will be measured and improvements delivered.

Hospital-acquired Infections

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate has been made of the cost of hospital-acquired infections in the Province in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: There are no figures or estimates available on the cost of hospital-acquired infections in Northern Ireland.

Hospital-acquired Infections

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vancomycin-resistant enterococcus cases there were in the Province in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		Reports of glycopeptide resistant enterococci (GRE), 200004, Northern Ireland
		
			  Number of reports 
		
		
			 2000 0 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 6 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 (up to 31 August) 1

Housing

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether discussions took place between representatives of the Housing Executive and local political parties over the future of the Protestant families who moved from the Torrens area of North Belfast in August.

John Spellar: Yes. In the light of recent events the Housing Executive has continued to have discussions with the Democratic Unionist Party and the Progressive Unionist Party. The Housing Executive has also met with Sinn Fein (at its request) and briefed the Social Democratic and Labour Party. In recent years the residents of Torrens have been largely represented by the Democratic Unionist Party or Progressive Unionist Party. The Ulster Unionist Party has not initiated any discussions and has had no involvement with the Housing Executive in relation to Torrens for some time. The Housing Executive will continue to engage with local politicians over the future of the Torrens area.

Learning Disability Provision

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what improvements have been made in enhancing educational provision for those aged 16 years and over with moderate learning disability in the Province.

Barry Gardiner: Pupils with moderate learning difficulties, whether placed in an ordinary school, a special unit or a special school, generally leave school at the statutory school leaving age. In a small number of cases and depending on their special educational needs, they may remain in school beyond statutory school leaving age. Parents have a general right of appeal to the SEN Tribunal if they disagree with the boards decision to cease to maintain a statement at any time.
	Education and library boards (ELBs) are required, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, to draw up a transition plan for all pupils with statements of special educational needs (SENs) to set out appropriate post-school opportunities, including further education.
	The Department of Education chairs an Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDG) that is looking at the transition of all young people with statements of special educational needs to adult life. The remit of this group does not extend to include consideration of post 16 educational provision in schools for MLD children, but rather to consider how to make strategic improvements in the transition process for young people with SENs on leaving school. The IDG is in the process of finalising an action plan, which will be produced in autumn 2004.
	The educational and library boards' Regional Strategy Group for Special Education Needs has established a working party to look at the equality of provision post 16 for pupils in MLD schools across the five education and library boards. The group is considering a number of options and is working with the Department of Employment and Learning, who have responsibility for colleges of further education.
	In addition the Department for Employment and Learning has put in place a range of initiatives and funding streams designed to promote access to post 16 provision by students with disabilities including those with moderate learning disabilities

Maternity Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which health trusts have expressed an interest in developing midwife-led maternity facilities.

Angela Smith: There is already a midwife-led unit adjacent to the consultant obstetric unit at Craigavon hospital. Similar midwife-led units are planned for a number of other hospital sites including the Altnagelvin, Ulster and Royal sites and the new hospital for the south-west.
	In addition, on 29 July I announced my decision to allow the development of Community Midwifery Units (stand-alone midwife-led units) in Northern Ireland. My announcement has opened the way for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts to consider the potential for establishing Community Midwifery Units as part of the wider implementation of Developing Better Services and the associated reconfiguration of hospital and other health services.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on mental health (a) assertive outreach and (b) crisis response services in each of the last five years in the Province.

Angela Smith: No funds were specifically allocated by health and social services boards for assertive outreach or crisis response services prior to 200102. Recent funding by health and social services board area is as follows:
	Southern Health and Social Services Board
	In 200203, the southern board allocated 220,000 to assertive outreach and 220,000 to crisis response services. This increased to 225,000 in 200304.
	Northern Health and Social Services Board
	In 200203, the northern board allocated 142,000 for assertive outreach services. In 200304, it allocated 759,000 for assertive outreach and 1,052,000 for crisis response. A further 612,000 was allocated non-specifically to develop both services.
	Eastern Health and Social Services Board
	No funds were specifically allocated for assertive outreach or crisis response services prior to 200304. In 200304, it allocated 112,000 to assertive outreach and 1,390,000 to crisis response services.
	Western Health and Social Services Board
	No funds were allocated prior to 200304. In 200304, the western board allocated 196,000 to crisis response services.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to develop (a) assertive outreach and (b) crisis response mental health services in the Province.

Angela Smith: Health and social services boards are currently developing both assertive outreach and crisis response mental services throughout Northern Ireland. An additional 3 million has been made available by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in 200405 to further develop these and other community services.

NHS Staff

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time (a) nurses and (b) administrators are employed by the NHS in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Number of full-time nurses employed within all NI HPSS (25) organisations as at 30 June 2004
		
			 Nursing staff group Headcount 
		
		
			 Qualified Nurses 8,544 
			 Unqualified Nurses 2,513 
			 Total 11,057 
		
	
	(25) Health and Personal Social Services.
	Note:
	Bank staff who cover for staffing shortfalls and fluctuating workloads in order to maintain service delivery have been removed from these figures. Student nurses have also been removed.
	
		Number of full-time administration and clerical staff employed within all NI HPSS(26) organisations as at 30 June 2004
		
			 Administration and Clerical staff group Headcount 
		
		
			 Clerical and Admin 6,806 
			 Manager 728 
			 Senior Manager 1,011 
			 Senior Executives 166 
			 Board Member 151 
			 Total 8,862 
		
	
	(26) Health and Personal Social Services.
	Note:
	Bank staff who cover for staffing shortfalls and fluctuating workloads in order to maintain service delivery have been removed from these figures.

NHS Staff

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing vacancies there are at each health trust in the Province.

Angela Smith: The number of vacancies as at 30 June 2004 are as follows.
	
		Number of nursing midwifery and health visiting vacancies within all trusts as at 30 June 2004
		
			 Trust Headcount vacancies WTE(27) vacancies 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 69 68.7 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 10 8.3 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 78 76.1 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 8 7.1 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 13 11.0 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 9 7.7 
			 Down Lisbum HSS Trust 22 21.3 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 8 8.0 
			 Greenpark Healthcare HSS Trust 45 44.3 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 24 n/a 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 111 108.4 
			 Newry and Moume HSS Trust 13 13.0 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 21 13.4 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 219 191.8 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 86 85.3 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 28 28.0 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 48 42.2 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 38 38.0 
			 Total 850 (28)772.7 
		
	
	(27) Whole time equivalent.
	(28) Total WTE figure does not include Homefirst.

NHS Staff

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many overseas nurses are working at each health trust in the Province.

Angela Smith: As at 31 August 2004, the total number of overseas nurses employed within health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland was 815. Figures are detailed by trust as follows.
	
		
			 HSS(29) trust Number 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 37 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 0 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 53 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 13 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Comm. HSS Trust 2 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital HSS Trust 50 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 56 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 1 
			 Greenpark Healthcare HSS Trust 58 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 36 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 51 
			 Newry and Moume HSS Trust 3 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 0 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 226 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 0 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 41 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 114 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 74 
			 Total 815 
		
	
	(29) Health and social services.

PFI/PPP Contracts

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts have been let by his Department in each financial year since 200102 to (a) PriceWaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte and Touche, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young for advising his Department on private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts; and what fees were paid in each case.

Ian Pearson: The following table sets out the number of contacts awarded by the eleven Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office in each year from 2001 to date:
	
		
			  Year contract awarded 
			  200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 PriceWaterhouseCoopers 4 11 6 
			 Deloitte and Touche  1 2 
			 KPMG 1 1 1 
			 Ernst and Young   1 
		
	
	The following table sets out the total fees paid in respect of these contracts:
	
		
		
			  Year contract awarded 
			  200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 PriceWaterhouseCoopers 1,984,445 608,852 1,282,934 
			 Deloitte and Touche  34,738 22,060 
			 KPMG 88,800 22,555 332,513 
			 Ernst and Young   99,845 
		
	
	Both tables cover contracts where the company identified was either the sole contractor or the lead partner in a consortium. Where the company was the lead partner in a consortium the figures quoted for fees paid include payments it would have been contractually obliged to make to the other partners in the consortium. In these circumstances the contracting authority is not in a position to identify payments to consortium members.
	It should also be noted that a number of public services to which these contracts relate are the responsibility of local authorities or private companies in England and Wales, but are fully funded through central Government in Northern Ireland.

Prosthetic Limbs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in the Province have prosthetic limbs; and what the causes of the disability are in each case.

Angela Smith: As at March 2004, the number of people who have prosthetic limbs in Northern Ireland is 1,716. The causes of the disability in each case are as follows.
	
		
			 Cause Number 
		
		
			 Trauma 589 
			 Arterial 563 
			 Congenital 223 
			 Civil disturbance 128 
			 Malignancy 99 
			 Other 68 
			 Neurological condition 26 
			 Re-amputationthrough non-healing 11 
			 Venous 9 
			 Northern Ireland total 1,716

Prosthetic Limbs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in the Province specifically to treat those with prosthetic limbs, broken down by profession.

Angela Smith: Information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Number of people employed in the Province to treat specifically those with prosthetic limbs, broken down by profession
		
			 Profession Headcount WTE 
		
		
			 Physiotherapists 4 2.01 
			 Prosthetists 5 5.00 
			 Consultant in rehabilitation medicine 1 1.00 
			 Occupational therapists 1 1.00 
			 Nurses 27 20.83 
			 Total 38 29.84

Prosthetic Limbs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on improving the cosmetic appearance, with particular reference to colour synergy, of prosthetic limbs provided in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: There is a range of silicone coverings (cosmeses) that may be provided to prosthetic users. These vary in cost from around 200 for a single colour covering to 5,000 for a high definition silicone covering. The latter are not provided routinely as part of prosthetic provision. Where the consultant and prosthetist consider there is a clinical need for a person to be supplied with a high definition cover, a case is made to the relevant Health and Social Services Board for funding.
	The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Green Park Healthcare Trust and Health and Social Services Boards are in discussion on the implications of widening provision of high definition coverings.

Racism

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many racially-motivated attacks were reported in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

Ian Pearson: The Police Service of Northern Ireland record incidents which are perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be racial. They have supplied the following figures:
	
		
			  199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Verbal abuse threat 132 67 77 50 56 109 
			 Written material 1 4 1 4 3 10 
			 Graffiti 5 7 6 2 4 7 
			 Physical assault 15 54 58 37 50 103 
			 Attack on home 13 53 49 38 59 148 
			 Attack on property 20 37 45 33 39 57 
			 Other 7 15 24 21 15 19 
			 Total 93 237 260 185 226 453 
		
	
	The number of incidents reported for 200304 increased 100 per cent. from the same period the previous year. This increase is believed to reflect the considerable effort made by the Police Service to build confidence within Minority Ethnic Communities and encourage the reporting of such incidents.

Racism

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were convicted of racially motivated offences in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

Ian Pearson: Accurate information in respect of conviction rates is not currently available. The Police Service of Northern Ireland have recently introduced new recording and monitoring systems in respect of racially motivated crimes which will assist police in identifying crimes of this type. A detailed analysis of incidents reported during 200304 is presently being undertaken and this information will be available in due course.

Rail Services

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answers of 7 September 2004, references 185114 and 185115, on rail services, whether the totals for (a) infrastructure maintenance: cross-border line and (b) upgrading the cross-border line include money spent on maintaining and improving the Enterprise rail service between Belfast and Dublin.

John Spellar: Translink has confirmed that the costs detailed in my answer of 7 September 2004, Official Report, column 1136W, number 185114 for (a) infrastructure maintenance of the cross-border line and (b) upgrading the cross-border line do not include the costs of maintenance and improving the Enterprise rail service between Belfast and Dublin. These costs are detailed separately in my answer of 7 September 2004, Official Report, column 1136W, number 185115.

Railways

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public money from Northern Ireland departments has been spent on (a) maintaining and (b) improving the rail service between Belfast and Londonderry in each of the past five years.

John Spellar: Public money spent on (a) maintaining and (b) improving the rail service between Belfast and Londonderry in the past five years is as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Infrastructure maintenance  
			 19992000 912,000 
			 200001 939,000 
			 200102 (30)1.088 
			 200203 (30)1.199 
			 200304 (30)2.179 
			   
			 Improvements  
			 19992000 100,000 
			 200001 350,000 
			 200102 200,000 
			 200203 100,000 
			 200304 28,000 
		
	
	(30) Million

Regional Disablement Service

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of providing funding directly to the Regional Disablement Service rather than through health boards.

Angela Smith: Funding for the Regional Disablement Service is provided by the four Health and Social Services Boards from the Physical and Sensory Disability Programme of Care budget via Service Level Agreements with Green Park Trust for the provision of services. The agreements are subject to regular monitoring and performance management to ensure that the best possible care is provided. As each Board has a statutory responsibility for the commissioning of services for its resident population, and the current arrangements provide a robust accountability regime, there are no plans to change them.

Regional Disablement Service

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is planned that the Regional Disablement Service should provide satellite clinics in the Province.

Angela Smith: The contract for provision of prosthetic and technician services is currently being tendered. The new contract provides for the establishment of satellite clinics during its term, which commences 1 April 2005 and runs for a period of seven years. A detailed specification for a satellite service and its funding would have to be developed in collaboration with Health and Social Services Boards ahead of its actual establishment.

Respite Beds

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many respite beds there are in each (a) council and (b) health board area; and how many of these beds are (i) solely for the use of patients with particular conditions and (ii) restricted to use by individuals within a certain age range.

Angela Smith: Information on the number of beds which may be used to provide respite care is not collected centrally. Health and social services boards do not have a specified number of residential or nursing home beds dedicated solely to respite care, as beds may be used to accommodate either permanent residents or persons requiring respite according to demand.

Ulster Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the (a) number and (b) workload of plumbers at the Ulster Hospital (i) in 1994 and (ii) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: In 1994 the Ulster Hospital employed four whole-time equivalent plumbing staff to provide a service to the Ulster Hospital and community facilities in the East Belfast and Castlereagh areas.
	The Ulster Hospital and Community HSS Trust currently employs four whole-time equivalent plumbing staff to provide a service to the Ulster Hospital and health and social care facilities in Newtownards and Bangor.

Ulster Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the state of (a) plumbing and (b) sewers at the Ulster Hospital.

Angela Smith: The condition of plumbing services and sewage systems in the Ulster Hospital is considered to be in a condition consistent with the age of the buildings.
	The redevelopment programme that has commenced at the Ulster Hospital includes the replacement of the existing sewage system and renewal of internal plumbing services.

Universities

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Protestant, (b) Roman Catholic and (c) other students domiciled in Northern Ireland commenced university courses in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Great Britain in each of the last 10 years.

Barry Gardiner: Information on students enrolled at higher education institutions is collected and provided to the Department for Employment and Learning by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Religion is only recorded for NI domiciled students enrolled at NI higher education institutions. The religion of students enrolled at higher education institutions in GB is not collected.
	Religion was first collected in the 1995/96 academic year and the latest information available relates to the 2002/03 academic year. The breakdown of religion for the NI institutions is shown in the table.
	
		NI domiciled first-year students enrolled on courses atNorthern Ireland higher education institutions by religion1994/95 to 2002/03
		
			 Academic year Protestant Roman Catholic Other Not known/unavailable Total 
		
		
			 1995/96 995 1,155 73 11,537 13,760 
			 1996/97 925 1,124 54 9,984 12,087 
			 1997/98 3,389 4,528 315 6,497 14,729 
			 1998/99 3,563 4,774 399 6,650 15,386 
			 1999/2000 3,724 5,241 412 5,708 15,085 
			 2000/01 4,627 6,634 509 5,608 17,378 
			 2001/02 4,564 6,148 470 7,116 18,298 
			 2002/03 5,720 7,564 663 4,806 18,753 
		
	
	Figures for 1995/96 to 1999/2000 relate to a snapshot of enrolments at 1 December in the relevant academic year and figures for 2000/01 to 2002/03 relate to a full-year count.